Histopathological evaluation of pulp response to portland cement compared to MTA after primary canines pulpotomy (in vivo study)

INTRODUCTION: ECC (Early childhood caries) is very common in children. Because of the small size of primary anterior teeth, endodontic exposures occur early. Pulp tissue response after pulpotomy of primary anterior teeth by both MTA and Portland Cement is very important when pulp exposures occur in these teeth. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate in vivo pulp tissue responses after the primary canines pulpotomy with either White Portland Cement (WPC) or White Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (WMTA), by histopathological analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 primary canines in 21 healthy children aged 6–9 years old and it was classified into 2 groups according to the material. Group 1: included 15 teeth capped by White Portland Cement, and Group 2: included 15 teeth capped by white MTA. The dentine bridge formation, soft Tissue Organization, tissue fibrosis, formed dentin bridge thickness, pulp calcifications, hemorrhage in the pulp tissue, and deposition of new dentin on the inner surface of the dentin at 3 months periods were recorded. RESULTS: Data were analyzed statistically; the Mann–Whitney U test was performed for the assessment of histopathological criteria. Descriptive statistics were performed for the analysis of participant properties. Histopathological analysis showed complete dentin bridge formation and normal soft tissue organization for both materials. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in dentine bridge formation (P value = 0.213), soft Tissue Organization (P value = 0.339), tissue fibrosis (P value = 0.079), formed dentin bridge thickness (P value = 0.139), pulp calcifications (P value = 0.581), hemorrhage in the pulp tissue (P value = 0.117), and deposition of new dentin (P value = 0.097), during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of the current study WPC was similar to WMTA in terms of histological criteria so PC may serve as a good alternative to MTA in primary teeth pulpotomy.