Histologic evaluation of dentin bridge formation by pachymic acid and biodentine in human tooth culture model

Abstract

Aim: Pachymic acid (PA) has been shown to induce reparative dentinogenesis at the cellular level. The aim of the present study was to histologically evaluate reparative dentin (RD) formation by Biodentine (BIO) and PA when used as pulp capping agents in entire human tooth culture models under in vitro conditions. Materials and Methods: Forty human maxillary and mandibular premolar or third molar teeth with immature root apices were included in the study. The specimens were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 20) based on the pulp capping material used. In a tooth culture model set up, pulp (approximately 1 mm2) was intentionally exposed and capped respectively with BIO (Group I) or PA (Group II). The capping material was overlaid with a 2 mm thick layer of light cure glass ionomer cement, followed by resin composite restoration. The samples were cultured in a 5% CO2 incubator at 37°C for 45 days, with the culture media being replenished every day. At the end of the incubation period, the samples from both the groups were removed from the model and taken up for histological analysis. Results: PA formed significantly less uniform and less thicker dentin bridge compared to BIO. A mild inflammatory response was seen in PA treated samples. A more uniform odontoblast layer was seen in samples treated with BIO. Conclusion: Though PA has the potential to initiate RD formation, BIO proved to be a superior pulp capping material.

Keywords

• biodentine
• histological analysis
• pachymic acid
• pulp capping
• reparative dentin
• tooth culture