Direct pulp capping (DPC) is a procedure to preserve pulp vitality. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pulpal tissue reaction to resin containing calcium silicate base material ( TheraCal LC) and resin containing light cured calcium hydroxide (Urbical LC) when used as capping materials. This was achieved through histopathological examination and statistical analysis of collected data.
Methodology: 40 (male albino rats) were used. All rats undergone direct pulp capping procedure in their maxillary right first molars (n=20 rats per each ). The rats were further divided into two groups 7 and 14 days (n=10). For the left maxillary 1st molars, half of them (n=5) acted as positive control group received pulp exposure covered with sterile (PTEF;Teflon tape) material. The other half acted as a negative control. At the end of each experimental period rats were sacrificed and maxillae were dissected and processed to analyse the pulp reaction.
Results: At 7 days, UrbiCal treated teeth showed active formation of calcific barrier.. However, TheraCal showed less active formation of calcific barrier. At day 14, Urbical showed a more organized calcific barrier. TheraCal showed a well-defined heterogeneous calcific barrier. According to statistical results, the percentage of remaining normal pulp tissue and degree of inflammatory cell infiltration showed superior desirable measurements in Urbical treated groups.
Conclusion: DPCprolonged the life span of pulpal tissue than if it was left untreated. Urbical material showed a more organized calcific barriers, lesser inflammatory reaction with more preserved remaining pulpal tissue than TheraCal did.