Objective: Evaluation of the histological pulp response following direct pulp capping with Galla Chinensis Extract (GCE) in comparison to Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) in rabbits' teeth.
Methodology: Intentional pulp exposure on the labial surfaces of permanent central incisors of twenty male rabbits was done. Split mouth technique was utilized for applying the capping material where MTA was used for capping upper and lower right central incisors while, GCE was used for capping upper and lower left central incisors. The teeth were restored by glass inonomer cement (GIC) as permanent restorations. Rabbits were divided randomly into two groups 10 rabbits each according to pulp capping period (two and four weeks). After animal scarification teeth were dissected and prepared for histological evaluation using Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) stains.
Results: GCE group showed significantly higher mean dentin bridge thickness than MTA group at four weeks, also it showed significantly higher median inflammatory cell scores than MTA group at both time intervals.
Conclusions: GCE is a promising direct pulp capping material with less biological pulp response in comparison to MTA.