Abstract— Pulpal response to composite resin restorations placed in experimentally prepared cavities treated with various cavity cleansing and etching agents were studied in monkey teeth. The use of etching agents and cleansers with a demineralizing potential enhanced the pulpal response to composite resin restorations. Bacterial proliferation on the cavity walls around the composite restorations may be one of several factors causing the harmful pulpal responses found. The protective effect of a calcium hydroxide‐containing cavity lining material was confirmed.

– The appearance of prepared cavity walls after treatment with different cavity cleansers and cleaning procedures was studied. Class II and V cavities were prepared on extracted human and monkey teeth and the cavities were exposed to the different agents for 1 min. Where commercial products were used, the manufacturers' directions for use were followed. The cavity walls were examined in the scanning electron microscope and representative photos were taken from dentinal and enamel areas. Only demineralizing solutions producing an etch pattern were able to remove the smeared layer from the cavity walls.

The quality of the margins of the box portions of Class II cavities finished with chisels or rotating instruments at low speed was scored according to a cavity margin index system proposed by the authors. Adequate results were obtained with the combined use of abrasive paper disks and gingival margin trimmers.