Purpose: To investigate with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) the inner surface of the resin restorative used as a direct pulp capping.
Materials and methods: Class V cavities were prepared on the facial surfaces of 90 intact monkey teeth, and the pulps were intentionally exposed with a carbide bur through the cavity floor. Each exposed pulp was capped with one of three commercially available adhesive resin systems (BondWell LC, GC; Imperva Bond, Shofu; Clearfil Liner Bond II, Kuraray). The cavities were restored with an adhesive resin and a hybrid resin-based composite. Histopathological changes of the mechanically exposed pulp were evaluated at 3, 30 and 60 days postoperatively. The interface between the resin and pulp tissues on the inner surface of the resin restorative was observed by SEM.
Results: Bacterial penetration along the cavity walls and pulp tissue could not be detected in any specimen. Slight inflammatory cell infiltration was the main initial reaction, while dentin bridge formation was the major long-term reaction in all groups. The resin surface adjacent to the etched cavity floor contained numerous resin tags corresponding to the dentin tubules. Remnants of pulpo-dentin complex, such as fragments of blood clots, pulpal cell, and dentin were also seen scattered along the inner resin surface.