The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on wound healing capacity and repair of the pulp dentin complex on an experimental model. Eight young male pigs were used in this study. Arteficially preformed pulp lesions were treated either with calcium hydroxide (control group) or with CAPE powder (experimental group). The material for histological analysis was 4 and 14 weeks after pulp capping. Results of the histological analysis revealed that inflammatory reactions occurred in both groups. In the control group inflammation could be scored as mild to moderate, with a tendency to decrease during the observed period, while in the experimental group it was scored as severe in most of the specimens. Dentin bridge formation and complete reparation of the dentin-pulp complex was observed in most of the specimens of the control group, while the repair process in the experimental group was characterized by fibrous tissue proliferation. In the experimental group severe haemorrhagia, tissue oedema and dentin resorption were also observed. Based on reported results it could be concluded that capping material containing CAPE could not enhance the repair of the dentin-pulp complex, and healing of the dentin-pulp complex was characterized by scar tissue formation, rather than dentin bridge formation

This study was conducted to observe the response of dog's dental pulp to hydrpxylapatite (Hap) and calcium hydroxide when used as pulp capping materials. After the pulps of 22 teeth were exposed, they were capped with either Hap or calcium hydroxide. Histological analysis was performed 8 weeks after treatment. Results showed that pulp exposure caused irreversible injury of odontoblasts, which were subsequently replaced by similar, odontoblast-like cells. These cells were able for reparative dentin bridge formation in 6 cases treated with calcium hydroxide and almost all the cases treated with hydroxylapatite. The presence of odontoblast-like cells seemed to be crucial for reparative dentinogenesis. The capping material was of less importance. In conclusion neither calcium hydroxide nor hydrxylapatite had completely satisfied all the requirements of an ideal capping material, although Hap can be recognized as a superior alternative to calcium hydroxide.