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.