Response of human pulps capped with PDGF. Pilot study

Introduction: Growth factors showed the potential to promote odontoblast- like cells differentiation and induce the formation of reparative dentine. Aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the pulp response after capping procedure performed with PDGF BB. METHODOLOGY. Two third molars (site A and site B) were treated. Class I cavities were prepared and the exposed pulps were capped with cotton pellet embedded in PDGF solution and fi lled. Teeth were extracted after 40 days and processed for routine histological examination. The hard bridge formation and the infl ammatory pulp reaction were evaluated. RESULTS. In site A, incomplete and thick dentine bridge formation (mean thickness of 199.5um) was observed. The pulp tissue close to the remaining exposed pulp was moderately disorganized with many fi broblasts and few infl ammatory cells. In site B, incomplete dentin bridge (mean thickness of 215um) covered part of the defect. The pulp was overall normal but a limited area close to the dentin bridge interruption, where a clot-like tissue with many fi broblasts and few infl ammatory cells was observed. CONCLUSION. PDGF-BB does not elicit infl ammatory response neither induces the extensive matrix deposition and appears to be a safe pulp capping agent.