Clinical & Histologic Study of Human Pulpal Response to Calcium Hydroxide, Resorcinol & Zinc Oxide Eugenol as a Direct Pulp Capping Agent

Abstract

The healthy pulp has the inherent potential for healing provided the exposure site is kept bacteria free. Various materials have.been tried as direct pulpcapping (DPC) agents. In this study, calcium hydroxide, Resorcinol (Resinifiying Agent) and zinc oxide eugenol were used as DPC agents. Under aseptic conditions, Class I cavity was prepared on premolar teeth and small exposure was made at pulp horn and experimental materials were placed over the exposure site and remaining cavity filled with quick setting zinc oxide eugenol cement. After treatment,the teeth were extracted and processed for routine histologic evaluation. Teeth with calcium hydroxide show resolution of inflammatory response and reparative dent in formation after 90 days. Teeth with resorcinol showed increase fibrosis and widened predentin layer whereas zinc oxide eugenol shows only chronic inflammation and no evidence of reparative dentin formation. By evaluating clinical and histological response with these materials, calcium hydroxide and resorcinol can be used as a direct 'pulp capping agent but long term study required.