Aim: To compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with calcium hydroxide when used as pulp-capping materials in human teeth.
Methodology: Eleven pairs of maxillary third molars in subjects between 20 and 25 years of age were subjected to mechanical pulp exposure. The exposed pulps were capped with MTA or calcium hydroxide, covered with ZOE and restored with amalgam. A total of 14 teeth were extracted after periods of 1 week (two molars) 2 months (three molars), 3 months (five molars), 4 months (two molars) and 6 months (two molars).
Results: Histological evaluation demonstrated less inflammation, hyperaemia and necrosis plus thicker dentinal bridge and more frequent odontoblastic layer formation with MTA than calcium hydroxide.
Conclusions: Although the results favour the use of MTA, more studies with larger samples and a longer follow up are suggested.