Quantitative assessment of dentin bridge formation following pulp-capping in miniature swine.

A quantitative assessment of dentin bridges was conducted on sections prepared from teeth capped with four pulp-capping agents (Bioglass, Life, Demineralized Dentin Matrix, and Teflon) in a micro-swine model. The degree of mineralization of the dentin bridges relative to the adjacent primary dentin was measured using a computer-based image analysis of microradiographs prepared from the sections. The rate of formation of the dentin bridge was measured from fluorescent bands formed in the same sections by a Demeclocycline dentin marker. There were no statistically significant differences in the relative mineral densities of the dentin bridges and the rate of dentin bridge formation under the four pulp-capping agents. These findings support the suggestion that components of the extracellular matrix rather than pulp-capping agents may be important in the formation and mineralization of dentin bridges in repairing dental pulps.