Use of Chitosan Gelatin Sponge as a Pulp Capping Material: An in-vivo Study

Objective: this study was designed to compare dog‘s pulpal response after exposure sites were covered with conventional and experimental capping materials. Methods: Exposure sites of 1.6 mm in diameter were prepared at cervical ⅓ on buccal surface of 36 teeth from 2 mongrel dogs. Three capping materials: Calcium hydroxide (Dycal, Dentsply), Mineral trioxide aggregate (ProRoot MTA, Dentsply) and Chitosan gelatin sponge were randomly applied passively after bleeding had been stopped (1 material/6 teeth/1 dog). All cavities were restored with RMGI (Vitremer, 3M). The capped teeth were extracted and histologically evaluated after 14 and 30 days postoperatively. Results: After 14 days, dentinal bridge formation was observed in 2, 4 and 0 teeth from Chitosan, MTA and Calcium hydroxide group, respectively. Accordingly, after 30 days postoperative, dentinal bridge formation was found in 4, 3 and 0 teeth, respectively. No pulp necrosis of the pulp was detected in MTA and chitosan group whereas partial pulp necrosis was found in 1 teeth in the group capped with Calcium hydroxide. Conclusion: Within limitations of this study, Chitosan gelatin sponge could stimulate good response of the dog's pulp comparing to current pulp capping materials in short term result.