Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

School of Dentistry

Department

Not Listed

Committee Chair

Thomas Borgia.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the long-term success that can be achieved by the use of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) as a pulp capping agent, demonstrate the simplicity of the procedure, and overcome the commonly held objections of cost, difficult handling characteristics, and the need for two appointments to complete the procedure.;A single visit protocol was utilized in the completion of forty-eight pulp cap procedures with twenty-seven procedures available for recall. The MTA pulp cap was covered with glass ionomer liner and then restored with a bonded composite or amalgam. Teeth were evaluated for sensitivity to percussion, cold testing, and periapical radiograph at follow-up appointments. A success rate of over eighty-five percent was achieved in this study. MTA has been demonstrated to be the material of choice and gold-standard for pulp capping procedures. MTA is biocompatible, less cytotoxic than calcium hydroxide, provides a bioactive benefit and a bacteriostatic seal. The specific details of the histological pulpal response to MTA and other pulp capping agents, requires additional investigation.

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