Response of exposed human pulp to application of a hemostatic agent and a self-etch adhesive

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the human dental pulp response after use of a hemostatic agent (Ankaferd Blood Stopper [ABS]) and a self-etching adhesive system (Clearfil Protect Bond [CPB]) in direct pulp capping. Materials and methods: For the first aim, 21 non-carious human third molar teeth scheduled for extraction were selected. Class I cavities with pulp exposures were prepared. In group 1, bleeding was controlled with sterile cotton pellets and restored with calcium hydroxide (CH) + ZnOE cement+amalgam. In group 2, bleeding was controlled with sterile cotton pellets and restored with CPB and a composite resin. In group 3, bleeding was controlled with ABS and restored with CPB and a composite resin. The teeth were extracted after 90days, formalin-fixed, and prepared for histological investigation. The pulp response was categorized using the following criteria: inflammatory response, soft tissue organization, reparative dentine formation, and bacterial staining. Data were submitted to statistical analysis, using nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: In pulp response study, it showed no statistically significant differences between groups for all parameters (p>0.05). Conclusions: The application of CPB and ABS in direct contact with the mechanically exposed pulp of healthy human teeth can lead to acceptable repair of the dentine-pulp complex, such as wound healing with tertiary dentine bridge formation.