Histologic evaluation of partial pulpotomy in dog using MTA

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to investigate the pulpal response of dogs' teeth after partial pulpotomy and direct pulp caping with mineral trioxide aggregate. Methods: Sixty teeth in five dogs were used. Ten untreated teeth were used as negative controls. In 50 teeth, the cavities were entered and extended to expose the pulps. In half of the teeth (n = 25), a partial pulpotomy( consisted of pulp tissue removal to a depth of only 1 to 2 mm, then capping the pulpal wound with pulpotomy medicament) was performed and in the other half (n = 25) pulpal treatment was performed on the superficial exposed pulp. Both pulpal treatment groups received the same restorative procedures: mineral trioxide aggregate + amalgam + IRM surface seal. One hundred twenty days after treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the specimens were removed and prepared . The presence, absence, and quality of a hard tissue barrier were evaluated histologically.Results:Although there was no statistically significant difference between direct pulp capping and partial pulpotomy with the numbers in this study, power statistics indicated that in clinical practice a partial pulpotomy would be preferable. Pulp vitality was maintained in all specimens and the pulp had healed with a hard tissue bridge. Conclusions:The results of this study suggested that a partial pulpotomy and mineral trioxide aggregate medicament represented a viable technique for capping the pulp.