The release and diffusion through human coronal dentine in vitro of triamcinolone and demeclocycline from Ledermix paste.

Crowns from freshly extracted human third molar teeth were used to quantify the release and diffusion of corticosteroid and antibiotic tracer molecules from Ledermix paste used as an indirect pulp-capping agent. These molecules readily diffused through dentine and reached a peak rate of diffusion at 2 h. The rate then decreased exponentially with time. The concentrations of the drugs in the dentine were calculated; this showed that a gradient existed from the cavity floor to the pulp space. The data obtained appeared to have clinical relevance and helped explain the therapeutic benefits of this medicament when used as an indirect pulp-capping agent.