Aim To evaluate the tissue response promoted by Bio‐C Pulpo (Bio), MTA Repair HP (MTA‐HP) and White MTA (WMTA) and whether these materials cause liver changes in a rat experimental model. Methodology Polyethylene tubes filled with Bio, MTA‐HP and WMTA, and empty tubes (control group, CG) were implanted into the subcutaneous tissues of rats for 7, 15, 30 and 60 days. Inflammatory reaction score (IRS), capsule thickness, number of inflammatory cells (IC), von Kossa reaction, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) immunohistochemistry reactions were performed. Combined methods, von Kossa followed by immunohistochemistry for detection of ALP, were performed. At 60 days, the serum glutamic‐oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic‐pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels were measured and liver fragments were collected for histological analysis; the data were assessed by one‐way ANOVA analysis followed by Sidak's post‐test. The biocompatibility and bioactivity data were subjected to the two‐way ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey post hoc test, except the IRS. The IRS data were subjected to the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA non‐parametric test followed by Dunn's test (p ≤ .05). Results No significant difference was detected in serum GOT and GPT concentrations and in the number of hepatocytes among the experimental and CG samples. Although Bio‐C Pulpo had the highest IC and IL‐6‐immunolabelled cells (p < 0.0001) at all periods, no significant difference was observed in the IRS among the materials, except at 60 days. In this period, the WMTA had lower IRS. All groups had a significant reduction in the capsule thickness and in the number of IC and IL‐6‐immunolabelled cells over time. Bio‐C Pulpo, MTA‐HP and WMTA specimens had greater immunoexpression of ALP than CG (p < .0001). At all periods, von Kossa‐positive and birefringent structures were observed in the capsules around the materials. ALP‐immunolabelled cells were also seen near von Kossa‐positive structures. Conclusions Bio‐C Pulpo, MTA‐HP and WMTA materials did not cause morphological changes in the liver and no significant alteration in the serum GOT and GPT levels. Moreover, these bioceramic materials were biocompatible and exhibited bioactive potential. However, Bio‐C Pulpo induced greater inflammatory infiltrate than MTA‐HP and WMTA at all periods.

Aim To evaluate the biological properties of experimental sealers based on tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate, manipulated with polyethylene glycol (CE‐1) and with the addition of calcium hypochlorite (CE‐2) compared to AH Plus (AHP) and TotalFill BC Sealer (TBC). Methodology The tissue reaction caused by the materials in the subcutaneous tissue of rats was evaluated after implantation of polyethylene tubes filled with the materials at 7, 15, 30 and 60 days. Sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin (HE) for morphological analysis and to evaluated number of inflammatory cells/mm2 (ICs). Sections were used for immunohistochemical detection of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and osteocalcin (OC). The von Kossa method was used to identify calcium precipitation in the capsules. The data were submitted to anova and Tukey’s tests, with 5% significance level. Results At 7 days, CE‐1, CE‐2 and AHP had higher numbers of ICs. AHP presented higher immunolabelling for IL‐6. After 15 days, regarding IL‐6, there was no difference between CE‐2 and the control group. At 30 days, AHP exhibited the highest number of IC (P < 0.05) and CE‐2 and the control group presented the lowest ICs and IL‐6‐positive cells. After 60 days, all materials exhibited decreases in ICs. CE‐2, TBC and the control had the lowest values (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected between CE‐1 and TBC, and between CE‐2 and control considering the immunoexpression of IL‐6. In this period, AHP had the greatest number of IC and IL‐6 (P < 0.05). In all periods, CE‐1, CE‐2 and TBC sealers had von Kossa‐positive structures and OC‐immunolabelled cells. CE‐2 had higher number of OC‐positive cells than the CE‐1 and TBC sealers (P < 0.05), in all periods. OC immunolabelling was not observed in the capsules of AH Plus and the control groups. Conclusions The experimental sealer and its association with calcium hypochlorite, in addition to TotalFill BC Sealer, were biocompatible and had bioactive potential.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of calcium hydroxide (CH) associated with two different vehicles as a capping material for pulp tissue in primary molars, compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methodology: Forty-five primary mandibular molars with dental caries were treated by conventional pulpotomy using one of the following materials: MTA only (MTA group), CH with saline (CH+saline group) and CH with polyethylene glycol (CH+PEG group) (15 teeth/group). Clinical and periapical radiographic examinations of the pulpotomized teeth were performed 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Data were tested by chi-squared analysis and a multiple comparison post-test. Results: The MTA group showed both clinical and radiographic treatment success in 14/14 teeth (100%), at all follow-up appointments. By clinical evaluation, no teeth in the CH+saline and CH+PEG groups had signs of mobility, fistula, swelling or inflammation of the surrounding gingival tissue. However, in the CH+saline group, radiographic analysis detected internal resorption in up to 9/15 teeth (67%), and inter-radicular bone resorption and furcation radiolucency in up to 5/15 teeth (36%), from 3 to 12 months of follow-up. In the CH+PEG group, 2/11 teeth (18%) had internal resorption and 1/11 teeth (9%) presented bone resorption and furcation radiolucency at all follow-up appointments. Conclusion: CH with PEG performed better than CH with saline as capping material for pulpotomy of primary teeth. However, both combinations yielded clinical and radiographic results inferior to those of MTA alone.

Cytotoxicity, inflammation, biomineralization, and immunoexpression of IL-1β and TNF-α promoted by a new bioceramic cement Aim: To evaluate the cytotoxicity, biocompatibility and mineralization capacity of BIO-C PULPO, and MTA. Methodology: L929 fibroblasts were cultured and MTT assay was used to determine the material cytotoxicity on 6, 24, and 48 h. A total of 30 male rats (Wistar) aged between 4 and 6 months, weighing between 250 and 300 g were used. Polyethylene tubes containing BIO-C PULPO, MTA, and empty tubes were implanted into dorsal connective tissue. After the experimental periods (7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days) the tubes were histologically analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), immunolabeling of IL-1β and TNF-α, and von Kossa staining, or without staining for polarized light analysis. The average number of inflammatory cells was quantified; the mineralization assessment was determined by the area marked in μm2 and semiquantitative immunolabeling analyses of IL-1β and TNF-α were performed. Then, data underwent statistical analysis with a 5% significance level. Results: It was observed that BIO-C PULPO and MTA presented cytocompatibility at 6, 24, and 48 similar or higher than control for all evaluated period. On periods 7 and 15 days, BIO-C PULPO was the material with the highest number of inflammatory cells (p<0.05). On periods 30, 60, and 90 days, BIO-C PULPO and MTA presented similar inflammatory reactions (p>0.05). No statistical differences were found between Control, BIO-C PULPO, and MTA for immunolabeling of IL-1β and TNF-α in the different periods of analysis (p<0.05). Positive von Kossa staining and birefringent structures under polarized light were observed in all analyzed periods in contact with both materials, but larger mineralization area was found with BIO-C PULPO on day 90 (p<0.05). Conclusion: BIO-C PULPO was biocompatible and induced mineralization similar to MTA.