Histopathological Assessment of Tricalcium Aluminate-free Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Two Antibacterial Enhanced Mineral Trioxide Aggregates As Pulpotomy Agents in Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of a newly developed MTA-based material and two antibacterial-enhanced MTAs as pulp capping materials in immature permanent dental elements underwent full pulpotomy.

METHODS

The present animal study included 20 Wistar albino rats that, after full pulpotomy, were randomly divided into 4 groups receiving different MTA formulations as pulp capping materials: conventional MTA, Tricalcium aluminate (TCA)- free MTA, and MTA enhanced with metronidazole or doxycycline. Histopathological assessments were carried out at 7- and 28-days post-treatment to evaluate dentinal bridge formation, inflammatory reactions, pulp tissue necrosis and internal resorption.

RESULTS

Seven days post-treatment, all groups exhibited inflammation and pulp necrosis, that were minimal in Groups III and IV than Group I. Group II showed a statistically significant difference only in terms of pulp necrosis (p<0.001). At 28-days all Groups showed slight inflammation and pulp necrosis, mainly in Groups I. Dentinal bridge formation was appreciated in all samples belonging to Groups II, III and IV and in 7/10 specimens of Group I, resulting in a statistically significant difference (p≤0.001).

CONCLUSION

TCA-free MTA and antibiotic-enhanced MTAs showed superior performances in dentinal bridge formation and exhibited minimal pulpal necrosis than conventional MTA. The inclusion of antibiotics might contribute to create a more sterile environment that would improve the outcomes, favoring deposition of a mineralized matrix. However, further studies are needed to support these preliminary results. (EEJ-2024-10-157).