A light microscopic study of odontoblastic and non-odontoblastic cells involved in tertiary dentinogenesis in well-defined cavitated carious lesions

This study examines cellular and microradiographic findings in thin, undemineralized sections of 46 cavitated lesions, that were clinically well-defined with respect to lesion activity and estimated lesion age at extraction time. The progressive stages of surface breakdown ranged from enamel cavitation to larger dentine exposures classified as closed and open lesion environments. Measurements of the following parameters were performed using computerized image processing software: (a) the cytoplasm:nucleus ratio of primary odontoblast cells; (b) the cell:dentinal tubule ratio; (c) the adjacent predentine area (mum2), and (d) the cytoplasm: nucleus ratio of non-odontoblastic cells, and secondary odontoblast-like cells, where estimation of these cell types were based on structural criteria. In active enamel cavitated lesions, reduced odontoblast-predentine regions and indistinct subodontoblastic regions were noted. During initial dentine exposures, non-odontoblastic cells along the pulp-dentinal interface were observed as well. The first indication of tertiary dentine was seen in old lesions with exposed dentine. The tertiary dentine appeared more atubular in the closed/active lesions than in the open/slow-progressing lesions. The involved odontoblastic cells in tubular tertiary dentine in small open/slow-progressing lesions were comparable to the primary odontoblast cells, however, new dentinal tubules were also noted presenting a mixture between reactionary and reparative dentinogenesis. In close/active lesions non-primary odontoblastic cells were aligning the atubular tertiary dentine, whereas well-defined signs of secondary odontoblast-like cells were first seen in larger open lesions, producing tubular tertiary dentine. In conclusion, a strong relationship between external lesion environments and corresponding different formations of tertiary dentine was noted in advanced cavitated lesions. It is additionally suggested that the stimulation of tubular tertiary dentine could be a closely related reaction when an active lesion complex changes into a slower progressing lesion environment.

In vivo study of the pulp reaction to Fuji IX, a glass ionomer cement

OBJECTIVE

Our aims were to investigate the pulp biocompatibility of Fuji IX, a glass ionomer cement (GIC) used as a restorative material in cavities prepared in rat's upper molars, and to assess the value of this in vivo model for testing dental biomaterials.

METHOD

Half-moon class V-like cavities were drilled on the mesial aspect of 26 rat upper first molars. Half of the experimental rats whose molars were restored with the GIC were killed after 8days and the second half after 30days. They were compared with two control groups, also submitted to cavity preparation, but with cavities left unfilled. Again, half of the control rats were killed at 8 days and the second half after 30days. Following intracardiac perfusion with the fixative solution, the specimens were processed to histologic procedures.

RESULTS

After 8 days, in both groups a few inflammatory cells were observed. The odontoblastic layer was disrupted and dilated blood vessels were seen in the pulp area related to the cut tubules. The experimental group displayed a moderate inflammatory reaction whereas only a slight reaction was detected in the control group. In few teeth, bacteria were visualized in dentine tubules beneath the GIC restoration. Such colonies were not observed in unfilled molars.After 30days, in both groups, the pulp tissue recovered and displayed a normal appearance. Disruptions of the odontoblast layer were not visible anymore. Bacteria penetration into dentine tubules was reduced compared with the 8-day situation. A thick layer of reparative osteodentine was formed. However no difference in thickness was detected between the experimental and control groups, supporting that the formation of reparative dentine is not impaired. Irregular mineralizations including calcospherites were induced by the GIC.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that, despite small alterations in the mineralization processes, the GIC Fuji IX has a good biocompatibility and does not induce any harmful effect on pulp cells.

Human pulp reaction to dentine bonded amalgam restorations: a histologic study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the human pulp response to Scotchbond Multi Purpose Plus (SMPP) bonding agent in non-exposed Class V cavities.

METHODS

SMPP was placed in 24 of 40 cavites according to manufacturer's instructions and the cavities were restored with amalgam. The remaining 16 cavities were capped with a calcium hydroxide formulation (Dycal) sealed with zinc-oxide eugenol, and restored with the amalgam. After extraction at 10 and 35 days, the teeth were fixed, sectioned and stained for light microscopy.

RESULTS

All Dycal-capped teeth, at both 10 and 35 days, exhibited no pulp inflammation and no demonstrable bacteria. Six cases sealed with SMPP at 10 days showed no pulp inflammation or stained bacterial profiles. The remaining six teeth demonstrated mild to moderate inflammatory pulpal responses and five out of these six cases exhibited stained bacterial profiles. Nine out of 12 teeth showed no inflammatory pulp responses at 35 days, the remaining three cases exhibited mild to moderate pulp inflammation without stained bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the teeth sealed with SMPP presented severe inflammatory pulpal reactions histologically. SMPP did not exhibit significant deleterious effects on the human pulp tissue during the test periods.

Clinical evaluation of three adhesive systems in class V non-carious lesions

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical retention of three new adhesive systems in non-carious cervical lesions during a 3-year period.

METHODS

The adhesive systems, a three-step (EBS/Pertac Hybrid), a one-bottle resin bonding agent (One-Step/Pertac Hybrid) and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC) were placed in 148 non-carious cervical lesions, 87 with sclerotic dentin and 61 non-sclerotic. Of the sclerotic lesions treated with the two resin bonding systems, 37 were slightly roughened with a diamond bur before conditioning. The restorations were evaluated every 6 months during a 3-year period.

RESULTS

All except six restorations were evaluated during the 3 years. The cumulative loss rates for EBS, One-Step and Fuji II LC were, at 1 year: 2, 24 and 2% and at 3 years: 10, 49, 7%, respectively. The one-bottle adhesive showed significantly more failures. The five lost EBS restorations were found in non-sclerotic lesions, while the three lost Fuji II LC restorations had been placed in sclerotic lesions. For the One-Step material the loss frequency for non-sclerotic versus sclerotic lesions was 31.8 and 65.2%, respectively. Slight roughening of the sclerotic dentin surfaces with a diamond bur did not increase retention of the restorations.

SIGNIFICANCE

The three-step resin adhesive and the RMGIC showed clinically acceptable retention rates, while a high failure rate was registered for the one-bottle adhesive.

Short-term dentin bridging of mechanically-exposed pulps capped with adhesive resin systems

Dentin bridging of 150 mechanically exposed monkey pulps to two adhesive resins [BondWell LC (BW); Clearfil Liner Bond II (LB)] and a calcium hydroxide cement [Dycal (DY)] were histopathologically evaluated at 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days after operation (n = 10). The dentin bridge structure was three-dimensionally reconstructed from serial sections using a computer-aided reconstruction system. At three and seven days, in all pulps, no necrotic tissue and slight inflammatory cell infiltration was observed just below the exposure site. At 14 days, spindle-shaped fibroblast cells could be detected at the wound surface. All dentin chips showed reparative dentin deposition along the periphery of the wound surface. From this stage, the formation of secondary dentin from the pulpal wall at the periphery of the exposed area was recognized in all pulps. At 30 days, initial signs of dentin bridging were observed at the wound surface with a well-organized layer of odontoblastoid cells. The exposed area became occluded with a dentin bridge as the observation period increased. Group DY showed significantly higher incidence of dentin bridging than other groups at 30 days (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference of dentin bridge formation was found between Group DY and Groups BW and LB at 60 days. Bacterial penetration along the cavity walls and pulp tissue could not be detected in all groups. Histopathological observations and three-dimensional image analysis suggested that dentin bridge formation may occur following three patterns: (1) formed from the periphery of the residual dentin chip at the wound surface within 14 days, (2) formed within 14 days from the periphery of the cavity floor and with formation of reparative dentin by stimulation during the cavity preparation, and (3) formed from the wound surface within 30 days after exposure.

Human odontoblast cell numbers after dental injury

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to measure the changes in odontoblast cell numbers in response to cavity restoration variables and patient factors, and the effect these factors have on dental repair by tertiary dentinogenesis. The number of vital odontoblasts is a critical factor for pulpal repair following restorative surgery, and yet little information is available on these cell numbers.

METHODS

Class V non-exposed cavities were prepared in the buccal surface of intact first or second premolar teeth of 27 patients, between 9 and 17 years of age. Following tooth extraction (28-163 days) the area of reactionary dentine and the area of the odontoblasts were measured histomorphometrically.

RESULTS

Patient factors, as well as cavity preparation and restoration variables, had little effect on the numbers of odontoblasts per pulpal unit area. However, the age of the patient did appear to have an effect on the reactionary dentine secretory capacity of odontoblasts per unit area, and on the relative number of odontoblasts beneath cut dentinal tubules.

CONCLUSIONS

Odontoblast cell numbers were maintained following the preparation of cavities cut into dentine with a 0.5mm residual dentine thickness. The repair capacity of the pulp-dentine complex would appear to be age dependent, this may explain differences in the success of various restorative treatments between patients.

Current status of pulp capping with dentin adhesive systems: a review

Several studies have assessed the morphology and thickness of hybrid layer, the dentin bond strengths as well as sealing ability of dentin adhesive systems. However, few in vivo studies have evaluated the biocompatibility of the adhesive systems following application to deep dentin or directly to the pulp of human teeth. Many studies performed in non-human primate teeth or teeth of rats have reported pulp healing and dentin bridging following pulp capping with bonding agents. In addition, a few clinical and radiographical reports of the success of resin pulp capping have been described in the dental literature.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to evaluate the literature on pulp responses following total acid etching and application of adhesive resins on deep cavities or pulp exposures. In addition, the clinical/radiographical evidence for the apparent success of vital pulp therapy and results obtained from animal and human studies were compared and discussed.

SIGNIFICANCE AND CONCLUSIONS

The self-etching adhesive systems may be useful and safe when applied on dentin. In contrast, persistent inflammatory reactions as well as delay in pulpal healing and failure of dentin bridging were seen in human pulps capped with bonding agents. The results observed in animal teeth cannot be directly extrapolated to human clinical conditions. Consequently, vital pulp therapy using acidic agents and adhesive resins seems to be contraindicated.

Pulp response to direct capping with an adhesive system

PURPOSE

To evaluate the pulp response following direct pulp capping with an adhesive system (Prime & Bond 2.0 - PB 2.0) and a zinc-oxide eugenol cement (ZOE) on pulp exposures in rat molar teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-eight Class I cavities were prepared on the occlusal surface of molar teeth of rats (Rattus Norvegicus, Holtzman). Pulp exposures performed on the cavity floor were capped either with the adhesive system P&B 2.0 or ZOE. After 7, 15, 30, and 60 days, the specimens were processed through H & E and Brown & Brenn staining techniques.

RESULTS

Both pulp capping materials allowed pulp repair, characterized by reorganization of a new odontoblast cell layer underlying the dentin bridge formation. However, P&B 2.0 promoted a large zone of cell-rich fibrodentin matrix deposition between the pulp capping material and the dentin bridge, which was deposited far from the pulp exposure site. On the other hand, pulps capped with ZOE showed dentin bridging immediately subjacent to the pulp capping material. In those samples in which microleakage occurred between dental material and cavity walls there was a persistent inflammatory reaction and lack of complete pulp repair.

A histopathological and immunohistochemical study of dental pulp and pulpal nerve fibers in rats after the cavity preparation using Er:YAG laser

The purpose of this study was to investigate histopathological changes in the dental pulp after Er:YAG laser irradiation compared with those after high-speed drill preparation. For evaluation, repair of nerve fibers was observed using an immunohistochemical technique. There was no significant difference between the remaining dentin thickness in either cases. (Mann-Whitney U test). In the Er:YAG laser group a marked fibroblast proliferation and the formation of reparative dentin were observed relative to the high-speed drill group. The time course of the increase and decrease in calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive fibers in the high-speed drill group was similar to that of previous reports. In the Er:YAG laser group an increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide-immunoreactive fibers was seen earlier than in the high-speed drill group, and 7 days after operation these fibers decreased to control level. The results suggested that the Er:YAG laser leads to pulpal repair earlier than the high-speed drill.

Pulp reactions to different preparation techniques on teeth exhibiting periodontal disease

To evaluate the histopathological outcome of two preparation techniques (featheredge preparation/shoulder preparation) on teeth exhibiting pulp reactions due to age and periodontal disease, 11 teeth were prepared for full veneer crowns. Laboratory made resin crowns were fixed with a zinc phosphate cement for a period of 90 days. After extraction, adjacent pulpal areas were histopathologically rated according to the BRD criteria comprising the parameters (i) Bacterial invasion, (ii) Regenerative parameters, (iii) Degenerative parameters. Degenerative reactions were more correlated with tooth preparation than with advanced periodontal disease. The severity of endondontal reactions depends more on remaining dentin thickness than on the type of preparation.

The effects on pulp tissue of microleakage in resin composite restorations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate histopathologically the effect on pulp tissue of microleakage in resin composite restorations. Seventy-two class V cavities were prepared on buccal surfaces of monkeys and divided into 3 groups, F, O, and S. Every cavity was etched with 37% phosphoric acid. In group F cavities, each cavity was restored with photo-curable composite without any dentin adhesives. In group O, the cavities were left unfilled. In group S, each cavity was treated with a dentin adhesive system and restored with a restorative composite. After 3, 30, or 90 days, animals were sacrificed and the subjected teeth were immediately removed, then fixed and decalcified. Following sectioning and staining with hematoxylin and eosin or Taylor's modified bacteria staining, each sample was examined with a light microscope. In most teeth with group S cavities, bacterial invasion was not found indicating excellent marginal sealing. The pulpal reaction was much less than that in other groups. In group F as well as in group O, bacteria were frequently observed in the cavity; however, bacteria penetrated into dentinal tubules more in group F than in group O at 30 and 90 days. A correlation between the presence of bacteria and pulpal inflammation was strongly indicated. It was suggested that a leaky restoration was more harmful to the pulp than an open prepared cavity without restoration.

Pulp reactions to restoration of experimentally induced crown fractures

OBJECTIVES

Reattachment of the avulsed enamel-dentine coronal fragment to the remaining tooth structure has become an accepted clinical alternative to a resin composite build-up for the restoration of crown fractured teeth. Since little knowledge exists as to the pulpal response to this procedure, this study was designed to observe the condition of the pulp following experimentally induced crown fracture and restoration in monkeys.

METHODS

Experiments were conducted in eight young green Vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). In all, 64 fractured incisors were investigated. Light microscopic examination of pulp tissue specimens was carried out after 3 months of observation.

RESULTS

The evaluation was restricted to specimens having a fracture plane within 2 mm of the pulp and no pulpal exposure. In general, pulp tissue was well preserved irrespective of the restorative procedure. Even if the restoration or the bonded tooth fragment had been lost during the follow-up period, the pulp generally remained in good condition. Inflammatory infiltrates where seen in only a few specimens and then as clusters of mononuclear leukocytes. Hard tissue repair was frequently observed and displayed various configurations from isolated hard tissue deposits to areas of extensive hard tissue repair in the coronal portion of the pulp. Pronounced hard tissue repair and occurrence of inflammatory cell infiltrates correlated with the presence of stainable bacteria on the fractured dentine surface.

CONCLUSIONS

In the absence of direct exposure, reparative dentine is a frequent feature of the pulp's response to crown fracture and restoration with composite or reattachment of the crown fragment with dentine bonding. These restorative procedures appear to ensure continued function of the underlying pulp.

Regressive changes of the dental pulp complex in retained primary molars with congenitally missing successor teeth

This study was undertaken to investigate the regressive changes occurring in the dental pulp complex (pulp, dentin, and cementum) of retained mandibular primary second molars with congenitally missing bicuspid teeth. Seventeen retained, caries free, primary molars were used. The specimens were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Fixed samples were decalcified, routinely prepared, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The results demonstrated a reduction in the pulp size, abnormal odontoblastic pattern, declined vascularity, pulp degeneration, pulp stones, accelerated formation of secondary dentin, and hypercementosis. This study suggests that these findings may be from aging and physiological defensive changes. These normal, age-induced changes are of considerable importance in the fields of endodontics, orthodontics, and pediatric dentistry.

Pulp survival and hard tissue formation subsequent to dental trauma. A clinical and histological study of uncomplicated crown fractures and luxation injuries

Traumatic injuries in children and adolescents are a common problem, and the prevalence of such injuries has increased over the last 10-20 years. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate long-term results following uncomplicated crown fractures and luxations involving subsequent pulp canal obliteration. A total of 198 patients with 488 injured permanent teeth were available for clinical examination (15 year follow-up), of which 102 also answered a questionnaire and were interviewed before oral examination. Further, 82 permanent incisors presenting with pulp canal obliteration (PCO) were followed for a period of 7 to 22 yr. (mean 16 yr.). The histological evaluation of luxation injuries was performed on 123 primary teeth from 98 patients. In the experimental study (crown fractures), 64 monkey permanent maxillary and mandibular central incisors and canines were subjected to different treatment alternatives at the time of fracture. The findings in the follow-up study showed very little pulpal response to crown fracture and subsequent restorative procedures as long as there was no concomitant periodontal injury. Approximately every fourth resin composite restoration was rated unacceptable at the clinical examination. The interview showed that half of the individuals were dissatisfied with the color and/or anatomic form of the composite restoration. PCO was found in all luxation categories, and according to the survival curve, the 20-year pulp survival rate diagnosed with X-ray was 84%. Although the risk for pulp necrosis (PN) increased with time, routine endodontic intervention of teeth with ongoing PCO of the root canal did not seem justified. The histological study showed that changes in dentin were represented by occlusion of the dentinal tubules and deposition of tertiary dentin. The tertiary dentin were classified as either dentin-like, bone-like or fibrotic. In the experimental study, few changes were observed in the pulp 3 months after crown fractures, irrespective of treatment alternative.

Pulpal response to cavity preparation by an erbium, chromium:YSGG laser-powered hydrokinetic system

The near red-pulsed erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser hydrokinetic system, or Er,Cr:YSGG laser HKS, is effective in cutting dental hard tissues. In this longitudinal study, the authors studied the continuously erupting open-apex incisors of New Zealand albino rabbits and the constricted apex teeth of beagles to determine the effects of HKS-produced lesions at various energy levels and of preparations produced by a tapered fissure bur on dental pulp. No pulpal inflammatory responses could be identified either immediately or 30 days after surgery in HKS preparations that removed enamel and dentin without pulp exposure.

Conventional endodontics and the operating microscope

Patients are increasingly wishing to undergo conventional endodontic treatment rather than to risk the loss of a tooth. Endodontic treatment in teeth that have been previously restored with extensive intracoronal or extracoronal restorations are often difficult to treat. The orientation of the root canals to the crown of the tooth may be lost, and this may often be compounded by the deposition of reparative dentin in the pulp chamber. The operating microscope allows better visualization of the working field, ensuring that the anatomy of the tooth is more readily inspected. This greatly enhances the clinician's ability to locate extra root canals and therefore increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. It should not be forgotten that the operating microscope also has a place in other fields of dentistry, especially restorative dentistry, and is an asset to both the specialist and the generalist.

Pulp calcifications in traumatized primary incisors. A morphological and inductive analysis study

The purpose of this study was to investigate histopathological changes in primary teeth following trauma, and to look for possible correlations between the morphology of pulpal calcification and clinical findings. The material consisted of 123 primary teeth from 98 Danish children aged 9-108 months (mean age 33.5 +/- 19.7 months) at the time of injury. The specimens were analyzed by means of light and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Data from the clinical investigation and from predetermined ranked parameters from the histological analysis were processed in a computerized inductive analysis program. The results, describing patterns of co-variation, are presented as a decision tree. The most common diagnosis was intrusion luxation (54%). In 41% of all teeth, the degree of obliteration was less than 1/4 of the pulpal lumen. In most cases (79%), no denticles were visible. When present, 80% of the denticles had a bone-like appearance. Tissues occluding the pulpal lumen were either dentin-like (49%), bone-like (19%), or fibrotic (9%). It could be concluded that these varying responses could not be correlated with explicit clinical diagnoses. However, in certain combinations, histological parameters could be correlated to clinical findings.

Cyclosporin A-induced alterations of dentinogenesis in rat molars

Cyclosporin A (CsA), a widely used immunosuppressive drug, induces gingival overgrowth and modifications of bone remodelling. The scope of this study was to investigate the possible effect of CsA on dentin. Thirty mg/kg/day of CsA were administered orally to male Sprague-Dawley rats for nineteen weeks. The same number of control rats received oil-based vehicle solution. Rats were anesthetized, and tissues were fixed by an intracardiac perfusion of fixative solution. Mandibles were dissected, demineralized, and processed for Epon embedding. Semi-thin sections of the first molars revealed alterations at the secondary dentin-pulp interface in four out of six experimental animals. The changes consisted of the formation of: 1) osteodentin spurs, in which the volume and interface with the secondary dentin varied from about 25,000 to 75,000 microns 3 and from 1400 to 3530 microns 2, respectively; 2) abnormally shaped and irregularly spaced incremental lines; and 3) numerous globular formations embedded in dentin or free in the pulp. These results indicate that CsA induces abnormal mineralized matrix formation in dentin and in the peripheral part of the pulp in rat molars.

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor with extensive formation of tubular dentin

Although the adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is categorized as an odontogenic epithelial tumor with odontogenic ectomesenchyme, AOT with induction of true tubular dentin with or without concomitant formation of enamel is exceedingly rare. This paper reports a case of AOT showing evidence of extensive induction of tubular dentin, but without concomitant formation of enamel. The patient was a 20-year-old female with a rather well-circumscribed intraosseous lesion of the maxillary incisor-premolar area without an embedded tooth. Histologically, extensive induction of a dysplastic form of tubular dentin with globular calcification was evident, in addition to the characteristic histological features of AOT. The present case lends support to the categorization of AOT as an odontogenic tumor consisting of a disorderly mixture of odontogenic epithelium and odontogenic ectomesenchyme with or without dental hard tissue formation.

Pulp response in primary teeth with deep residual caries treated with silver fluoride and glass ionomer cement ('atraumatic' technique)

Histological assessment of the dental pulps of 55 carious primary teeth was carried out 3 to 58 months after treatment by the 'atraumatic' technique involving application of 40 per cent silver fluoride to residual caries followed by restoration with glass ionomer cement. Fifty of the 55 teeth examined showed a favourable pulpal response, inducing presence of abundant reparative dentine and a wide odontoblast layer. Histological comparisons were made between these teeth and others not treated with silver fluoride but restored with glass ionomer cement, amalgam or zinc oxide and eugenol. Possible mechanisms of the action of silver fluoride in arresting residual caries are discussed. The question of whether or not treatment of carious dentine with silver fluoride represents a biologically acceptable clinical procedure cannot be answered on the basis of pulpal histology alone. The very high concentration of fluoride in commercial preparations of silver fluoride raises several questions concerning its clinical safety.

Pathohistology of undecalcified primary teeth in vitamin D-resistant rickets: review and report of two cases

The basic dental defects in vitamin D-resistant rickets seem to be manifested in dentin. Enamel is usually reported to be normal. This histologic examination showed the penetration of microorganisms through the calcified structures of the enamel layer without visible caries. The microorganisms passed through the dentinoenamel junction and invaded dentin, which was characterized by calcospherites and large amounts of interglobular dentin. Furthermore, microorganisms could be detected in dentinal tubules, which were exposed to the oral cavity when enamel was removed. However, large areas of tertiary dentin extended between such tubules and the pulp. These light microscopic results suggest that clinical manifestations, such as, pulp recrosis and periapical lesions (without carious defects) may be caused by the penetration of microorganisms through microclefts of the enamel layer as well as pathologically altered enamel microstructures of affected teeth.

Tunnel defects in dentin bridges: their formation following direct pulp capping

This study was conducted to observe the formation and nature of tunnel defects in dentin bridges, assess the nature of the associated soft tissue elements, and note the relationship of pulp inflammation and necrosis associated with these defects. A total of 235 teeth with class 5 cavity preparation exposures were randomly distributed throughout the dentitions of 14 adult rhesus monkeys. Each pulp was exposed and left open to the oral microflora at one of four time intervals, flushed with saline, debrided, capped with one of two hard-set calcium hydroxide medicaments [Ca(OH)2 (Dycal or Life)] and restored with a dispersed-phase amalgam alloy. Observation times were 14 days, 5 weeks, and 1 and 2 years. A total of 192 dentin bridges formed against the Ca(OH)2 medicaments Life or Dycal in 235 pulp-capped teeth. Considering all four capping periods, 89% of all dentin bridges contained tunnel defects (172 of 192). Forty-one percent (78) of the 192 dentin bridges were associated with recurring pulp inflammation or necrosis and were always associated with the presence of inflammatory cells and stained bacterial profiles. This study demonstrates that a statistically significant number of dentin bridges contain multiple tunnel defects, most of which appear to remain patent. These patent tunnels fail to provide a hermetic seal to the underlying pulp against recurring infection due to microleakage. Most Ca(OH)2 medicaments have been reported to disintegrate and wash out after 6 months, leaving a void underneath the restoration and thereby a pathway for bacterial infection. This study reemphasizes the need to employ biologically relevant measures that will provide a long-term clinical seal against microleakage following direct pulp capping with Ca(OH)2 medicaments alone.

Racial variations in the extent of tooth root translucency in ageing individuals

One hundred and ninety-eight single-rooted teeth from individuals aged 21-90 yr of Caucasian, Malay, Chinese Malay and Indian Malay origin were studied. Single or serial longitudinal sections of extracted teeth were cut following dye imbibition of patent dentinal tubules. The extent of sclerosis of apical dentinal tubules was assessed and correlated with the age of the individual. Correlation with age was higher in the Caucasian than the Malay races and within the Malaysian racial groups correlation with age was highest in the Malays and lowest in the Chinese. It is concluded that factors other than age may be important in the formation of sclerotic apical dentine in teeth of different racial origin. The effect of racial origin should be considered when using sclerosis as a means of age determination in forensic cases.

Does resin based dentine bonding work?

Since Buonocore, in the mid 1950s, introduced enamel etching to be used to bond resinous restorations to enamel, different resin based bonding procedures have continuously found their way into dental practise. Today, dentists bond materials not only to enamel, but also to dentine. Up until recently, the clinical success with dentine bonding agents had been unreliable at best, and many clinicians had become sceptical as to whether it would ever be possible to bond to dentine. In this paper, some of the important break-throughs in the field of dentinal adhesives are reviewed in an attempt to throw some light on the question, does resin based dentine bonding work? The technical procedure used to optimise dentine bonding is reviewed, emphasising the significance of etching dentine, placing the primer on a slightly moist dentine surface, avoiding oxygen inhibition of the bonding resin, and maximising the degree of cure. In addition, emphasis is also placed on the significance of variations in dentine structure, and how sclerotic dentine may make dentine bonding less efficient. The conclusion of the entire review is that although significant improvements have been made in the field of dentine bonding during the last few years, it is still too early to conclude that dentine bonding will survive several years of clinical service.