Histological evaluation of mineral trioxide aggregate and enamel matrix derivative combination in direct pulp capping: An in vivo study

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the response of human pulp tissue to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Emdogain (EMD), and combination of MTA/EMD.

Materials and methods: This study was performed on sixty intact first and second premolars of human maxillary and mandibular teeth. A standard pulpal exposure was done on all the teeth and was divided into three groups of twenty teeth each and was capped with MTA, EMD, and MTA/EMD combination. The final restoration was done with resin-modified glass ionomer cement. The teeth were then extracted on the 15^th or 45^th day and histological evaluation done.

Results: Differences in inflammatory response and thickness of dentin bridge formation of the exposed pulp to the three different groups were statistically evaluated using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests and were found to be significant. No significant difference was found between MTA/EMD and MTA in terms of calcified bridge formation and pulp inflammatory response to the capping materials.

Conclusions: MTA and MTA/EMD combination produced a better quality hard tissue response compared with the use of EMD.