[Clinico-pathological studies on the effects of pulp protection (lining) under the condition with and without smear layers].

Many studies have been made of pulpal reactions to pulp protection (lining) materials have always employed a smear layer between the dentin wall and the lining materials. In this study, the author has attempted to evaluate pulpal response without a smear layer and compared effects of pulp protection (lining) with and without smear layers. Materials and methods. The experiment employed 84 vital human teeth ranging in age from 14 to 54 years. The experimental teeth were divided into 4 groups for the purposes of histopathological studies and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation. Group C: No EDTA-treatment and lining with gutta-percha temporary material, 10 cases for histopathological study and 4 cases for SEM observation. Group TC: EDTA-treatment and lining with gutta-percha temporary material, 10 cases for histopathological study and 4 cases for SEM observation. Group P: No EDTA-treatment and lining with Protect Cement. 20 cases for histopathological study and 8 cases for SEM observation. Group TP: EDTA-treatment and lining with Protect Cement. 20 cases for histopathological study and 8 cases for SEM observation. After local anesthesia, Black's simple class I cavities were made in the experimental teeth with a diamond instrument mounted on a high-speed air turbine at room temperature with a water spray coolant. In Groups TC and TP only, an aqueous solution of 0.5% EDTA (pH 7.4) 10 ml was applied from cavity floor to dentin for 60 seconds. All cavities were then washed with distilled water, and the dentin was dried with an air stream. The floor of cavities were lined with thin layers of the following materials: Group C and TC, gutta-percha temporary material (G-C Dental Industrial Co., Tokyo, Japan). Group P and TP lining of Protect Cement which is a zinc phosphate cement containing 0.5% paraformaldehyde (Neo Dental Chemical Products, Tokyo, Japan). The restoration of each cavity was then filled with silver amalgam. Experimental teeth were clinically observed for 2 periods: short (about 14 days) and long (about 60 days) after treatment. They were then extracted under local anesthesia and prepared for histopathological study and SEM observation. Results 1. Clinical observations. During the observation period, symptoms occurred as indicated below. Group C: 2 (20%) out of 10 cases Group TC: 3 (30%) out of 10 cases Group P: None out of 20 cases Group TP: 3 (15%) out of 20 cases The only kind of clinical discomfort observed hypersensitivity to cold water. 2. Clinical evaluations Group C: 10 cases (100%) were good.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)