RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the calcium (Ca2+) and hydroxide (OH-) ion release of 4 artificially produced pulp capping materials (MTA, Biodentin, TheraCal LC, Calsimol) used for indirect pulp capping treatment. METHODS: In total, 70 freshly extracted human third molar teeth were used for the study. Cavities of extracted teeth were prepared by round burs. The remaining dentin thickness (1 ± 0.3 mm) tissue was measured by a micrometer and cone beam computerized tomography. Indirect pulp capping was performed in the cavities using Calcimol, MTA, TheraCal LC and Biodentin. The leached Ca2+ were measured using optical emission spectrometry and the release of OH- ions using a pH meter. The measurements were performed after 24 hours, 7 days and 28 days in saline solution. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way and 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: Ca2+ ions were detected in treated saline solution during the experimental period for all materials. All the measurements of Biodentin and Theracal LC levels for Ca2+ ions were higher than those of the other materials (p<0.05). For all materials, Ca2+-ion release increased during the first 7 days followed by a linear decrease during the subsequent study periods. The Biodentine group showed the highest OH- ion rates compared to the other materials in the 24-hour examination period, while the scores gradually decreased during the subsequent measurement periods (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tricalcium silicate materials such as Biodentine and TheraCal LC used in this study may be preferable for indirect pulp capping because of their stimulation of hard tissue formation and ion-releasing ability.
