Histological Evaluation to Study the Effects of Dental Amalgam and Composite Restoration on Human Dental Pulp: An in vivo Study

• Published in: Medical principles and practice Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 40 - 44
• Main Authors: Chandwani, Neelam D., Pawar, Mansing G., Tupkari, Jagdish V., Yuwanati, Monal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Acrylic Resins - adverse effects; Adolescent; Adult; Bicuspid; Composite Resins - adverse effects; Dental Amalgam - adverse effects; Dental Pulp - immunology; Female; Humans; Inflammation - chemically induced; Male; Original Paper; Polyurethanes - adverse effects; Young Adult; Dental amalgam; Inflammatory response; Composite resin; Dental pulp
• ISSN: 1011-7571; 1423-0151
• DOI: 10.1159/000355607

Objective: To study and compare the effects of dental amalgam and composite restorations on human dental pulp. Materials and Methods: One hundred sound premolars scheduled for orthodontic extraction were divided equally into two groups: group A, teeth restored with silver amalgam, and group B, teeth restored with composite resin. Each group was equally subdivided into two subgroups [extracted after 24 h (A-1 and B-1) or 7 days (A-2 and B-2)], and the histological changes in the pulp related to the two different materials at the two different intervals were studied. Results: It was found that after 24 h, the inflammatory response of the pulp in teeth restored with amalgam and composite was similar (p = 1.00). However, after 7 days, the severity of the inflammatory response of the pulp in teeth restored with amalgam was less compared to that in teeth restored with composite (p = 0.045). Conclusion: This study confirmed that amalgam continues to be the mechanically as well as biologically more competent restorative material. Composite could be a promising restorative material to satisfy esthetic needs for a considerable period of time. However, its biological acceptance is still in doubt.