Biocompatibility of resin-based dental materials applied as liners in deep cavities prepared in human teeth

Background: Since only a few data have been published concerning the effects of resinous dental materials on the pulp–dentin complex, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of resin‐based materials applied as liners in deep cavities prepared in human teeth. Methods: After preparing class V cavities, the following dental materials were applied on the axial walls: group 1, Vitrebond™ (VIT; 3M ESPE); group 2, Ultra‐Blend® Plus™ (UBP; Untradent); and group 3, Clearfil™ SE Bond (CSEB; Kuraray). In group 4 (control), the hard‐setting calcium hydroxide cement Dycal (CH; Caulk/Dentsply) was used. The teeth extracted at 7 days or between 30 and 85 days after the clinical procedures were processed for histological evaluation. Results: For all the experimental and control groups, most of specimens exhibited no pulpal response or slight inflammatory reaction associated with slight tissue disorganization at 7‐day period. Moderate inflammatory pulpal response occurred only in one tooth (RDT = 262 μm) of group 3 in which transdentinal diffusion of resin components was observed. Conclusion: The resin‐based dental cements VIT and UBP as well as the bonding agent CSEB presented acceptable biocompatibility when applied in deep cavities prepared in sound human teeth. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006