Resin monomers and polymerisation initiators have been shown to be cytotoxic for pulp cells and to disturb odontoblast differentiation. This study aimed to compare the effect of a resin-modified calcium silicate cement (TheraCal LC; TC) and a resin-free calcium silicate cement (ProRoot MTA; PR) on pulpal healing after pulpotomy. Pulpotomy was performed on the maxillary first molars of 8-week-old rats using either PR or TC. After 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days, pulpal responses were assessed by micro-computed tomography, haematoxylin-eosin staining and immunostaining against CD68, which is a pan-macrophage marker. The results showed that pulpotomy with TC induced persistent infiltration of inflammatory cells, including CD68-positive macrophages, and delayed the formation of reparative dentin as compared with that with PR, although both materials allowed pulpal healing over the long term. Therefore, resin-modified TC was not as biocompatible nor bioinductive as resin-free PR when applied on the healthy pulp of rat molars.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; macrophage; pulpotomy; reparative dentin; resin-modified calcium silicate cement.
© 2021 Australian Society of Endodontology Inc.