Clinical evaluation of mineral trioxide aggregate and biodentine as direct pulp capping agents in carious teeth

BACKGROUND Root canal treatment has been a routine treatment option for carious exposure of the dental pulp. In the context of minimally invasive dentistry, direct pulp capping (DPC) procedure with a reliable biomaterial may be considered as an alternative provided the pulp status is favorable. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), a bioactive cement with excellent sealing ability and biocompatibility is capable of regenerating relatively damaged pulp and formation of dentin bridge when used as DPC agent. Biodentine is comparatively a new biomaterial claimed to possess properties similar to MTA and is currently explored for vital pulp therapy procedures. AIM The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical response of pulp-dentin complex after DPC with MTA and biodentine in carious teeth. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-four permanent molars with carious exposure having no signs and symptoms of irreversible pulpitis were selected and assigned to one of the two groups, Group I - MTA and Group II - biodentine. Patients were recalled at 3 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months for clinical and radiographic evaluation. Fisher's exact test was used along with Chi-square test for statistical analysis. RESULTS Over a period of 6 months, MTA and biodentine showed 91.7% and 83.3% success rate, respectively, based on the subjective symptoms, pulp sensibility tests, and radiographic appearance. CONCLUSION MTA and biodentine may be used as DPC agents when the pulpal diagnosis is not more than reversible pulpitis.