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Abstract_Anca Cristiana DIDILESCU
Pulp capping is a clinical procedure in dentistry which involves the placement of a biomaterial in direct or indirect contact with the dental pulp in order to maintain its vitality, thereby prolonging the life of the tooth. The role of o pulp capping agent is to stimulate the dentin forming cells, the odontoblasts, to activate the process of neodentinogenesis and deposit tertiary dentin bridges. Over time, numerous pulp capping biomaterials with different compositions have been used in dental practice, from calcium hydroxide to much more effective cements, such as the new standard, represented by mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Calcium silicate-based cements, such as MTA or modified and hybrid MTA-derived materials, are successfully used in pulp capping procedures [1]. The aim of this experimental research was to compare both in vitro and in vivo a MTA cement and a tricalcium silicate-based material modified with light-cured resin (TheraCal LC). The physical and chemical properties of these materials were tested in vitro. Complex thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the presence of more mineral phases in the case of MTA and the presence of light-cured resin in the case of TheraCal LC. XRD analysis revealed the main mineralogical phase of tricalcium silicate for TheraCal LC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed a dense microstructure in the case of MTA and a dispersed particle appearance in the organic matrix for TheraCal LC. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated a much rougher surface for the MTA cement and contact angle measurements showed a hydrophilic surface for both biomaterials. Mechanical testing was performed using Vickers microhardness which indicated a much higher hardness for the MTA cement. The biomineralization of the surfaces was evaluated in vitro for 28 days following the immersion of both materials in a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Following Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and SEM analysis, many more mineral phases were identified in the MTA cement, both materials having bioactive properties, as demonstrated by the presence of apatite formation on their surfaces [2]. In vivo testing on New Zealand White rabbits showed minimal pulp inflammation for both materials and the formation and deposition of complete and incomplete dentin bridges following direct pulp capping. In vivo testing on human patients involved performing direct pulp capping on third molars, with pulp vitality being maintained with both materials. The deposition of dentin bridges following the activation of neodentinogenesis was more evident in the case of MTA, indicated by X-Ray microtomography and histological evaluation and a more attenuated pulp inflammatory status [3].
References
- Andrei M, Vacaru RP, Coricovac A, Ilinca R, Didilescu AC, Demetrescu I. The Effect of Calcium-Silicate Cements on Reparative Dentinogenesis Following Direct Pulp Capping on Animal Models. Molecules. 2021;26(9):2725.
- Voicu G, Didilescu AC, Stoian AB, Dumitriu C, Greabu M, Andrei M. Mineralogical and Microstructural Characteristics of Two Dental Pulp Capping Materials. Materials (Basel). 2019;12(11).
- Covaci AM, Andrei M, Dinca I, Ciocan LT, Matei MN, Didilescu AC. Tertiary Dentin Barrier Formation: A Comparison Between the Effects of Two Calcium Silicate Based Materials. Curr Health Sci J. 2025;51(1):96-104.