Pulpal inflammatory responses following non-carious class V restorations.

The effects of inflammatory activity following surgical intervention can injure pulp tissues; in severe cases it can lead to pulpal complications. With this article, the authors report on the effects of cavity preparation and restoration events and how they can interact together to reduce or increase the severity of pulpal inflammatory activity in 202 restored Class V cavities. Although some inflammatory activity was observed in the absence of bacteria, the severity of pulpal inflammatory activity was increased when cavity restorations became infected. Zinc oxide eugenol and resin-modified glass ionomer cement prevented bacterial microleakage in cavity restorations, with no severe inflammatory activity observed with these materials. Bacteria were observed in cavities restored with enamel bonding resin and adhesive bonded composites and were associated with severe grades of inflammatory activity. The cavity remaining dentin thickness influenced the grade of inflammatory activity. In the absence of infection, the grade of inflammatory activity decreased after 20 weeks post-operatively. In the presence of infection, the grade of pulpal inflammation remained stable until a minimum of 30 weeks had elapsed.