Effects of various calcium phosphate biomaterials on reparative dentin bridge formation

Abstract

This article reports on various calcium phosphate materials placed directly on the dental pulp of pig primary teeth. The following capping agents were tested, using light microscopy and microradiography of undecalcified sections: tricalcium phosphate plus magnesium, 50% tricalcium phosphate-50% hydroxylapatite, and octocalcium phosphate, with calcium hydroxide being used as a reference material. The results show that tricalcium phosphate plus magnesium and octocalcium phosphate induce formation of a dystrophic dentin similar to that of dentinogenesis imperfecta or even vasodentin. Compared with calcium hydroxide, the 50% tricalcium phosphate plus 50% hydroxylapatite compound provides the best dentinogenetic effects, resulting in a thicker reparative dentin bridge and quicker formation of normal tubular dentin.