Histological evaluation of direct pulp capping with a self-etching adhesive and calcium hydroxide on human pulp tissue

Aim To evaluate human pulp tissue response following direct pulp capping with a self-etching adhesive: Clearfil SE BOND (SB). Methodology Forty-five sound teeth from 20 subjects were used. Forty-one teeth had their pulp mechanically exposed at the base of a Class 1 cavity preparation and were divided into two groups: group 1, teeth were capped with SB (n = 21), and group 2, with calcium hydroxide cement (CH) (n = 20). Four teeth were maintained intact as an untreated control group. After 7, 30 and 90 days, respectively, 15 teeth were extracted and processed for light microscopic examination. Pulp healing and bacterial microleakage were assessed by haematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome and Brown and Brenn stain techniques. The data were analysed statistically by using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results After the 7-day observation period, the inflammatory reaction in the SB group was slight and significantly less severe than that of the CH group (P < 0.05). After the 30- and 90-day observation periods, the inflammatory reaction was slight in both groups, but specimens with dentine bridge formation in the SB group were significantly less common than those in the CH group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Clearfil SB had good biocompatibility with human pulp tissue, but its ability to induce reparative dentine was significantly lower than that of calcium hydroxide.