Direct pulp capping with dentin bonding agents-- a histopathological study

Objectives: To evaluate the pulpal response of 3 dentin bonding agents applied in direct pulp capping. Methods: 72 rabbit teeth were used. After pulp exposure, adhesive pulp capping was performed with 3 different dentin bonding agents (Vivadent, Densply, Kulzer). Dycal was served as control. All the cavities were sealed with resin composite. In each group, 6 teeth were extracted 7, 15,or 24 days following treatment and prepared for histopathological examination, such as injection, inflammatory cell response, fibrosis, dentin bridge formation, reparative dentin deposition and bacterial staining. Results: Dentin bridge was seen in all teeth, with reparative dentin occluding the perforation. At the same time, pulp response to different pulp capping agents showed no significant difference. Each adhesive agent's effects to pulp in 3 periods showed no significant difference, excepting the Dycal group. Conclusions: These 3 dentin bonding agents display novel bioactive properties and are capable of stimulating the development of reparative dentin.