This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the success rate of direct pulp capping (DPC) on permanent teeth, comparing the use of MTA with calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate-based cements. A systematic search was carried out in 4 databases until July 2023. The selection was based on PICOS criteria and only randomized clinical trials were included. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB-2 tool, and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software. The overall quality of evidence was determined using the GRADE tool. Thirteen studies were included. Meta-analyses indicated significantly higher success rate for DPC using MTA compared to calcium hydroxide, while no significant difference was observed between MTA and Biodentine, showing a success rate from 80% to 100% even after 3 years of follow-up. Five studies were classified as having high risk of bias and the GRADE assessment revealed low certainty of evidence. DPC is highly effective for permanent teeth when using MTA or Biodentine. There is a need for future well-designed randomized clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of DPC using newer bioceramic materials.

Crown reattachment is the most conservative treatment which can be used to restore fractured tooth, presumably with sufficient strength, while maintaining original contour, incisal translucency, and reducing chair time and cost.

However, in case of crown fracture with pin-point pulp exposure, we should cautiously minimize the irritation to the pulp and consider pre-treatment pulpal status, choice of pulp capping materials, choice of bonding system and treatment sequence during crown reattachment procedures. This case reports the considerations while crown reattachment with direct pulp capping using calcium hydroxide (Dycal, Dentsply Caulk).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pulp tissue reaction to direct pulp capping of mechanically exposed beagle dogs'pulp with several capping materials. A total of 36 teeth of 2 healthy beagle dongs were used. The mechanically exposed pulps were capped with one of the followings: (1) Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA: ProRoot® MTA, Dentsply, Tulsa, USA), (2) Clearfil SE Bond (Dentin adhesive system: Kuraray, Osaka, Japan), (3) Ultra-Blend (Photo-polymerized Calcium hydroxide: Ultradent, South Jordan, USA), (4) Dycal (Quick setting Calcium hydroxide: LD Caulk Co., Milford, USA) at 7, 30, and 90 days before sacrificing. The cavities were restored with Z350 flowable composite resin (3M ESPE, St. Paul. MN, USA). After the beagle dogs were sacrificed, the extracted teeth were fixed, decalcified, prepared for histological examination and stained with HE stain. The pulpal tissue responses to direct pulp capping materials were assessed.

In MTA, calcium hydroxide, and photo-polymerized calcium hydroxide groups, initial mild inflammatory cell infiltration, newly formed odontoblast-like cell layer and hard tissue bridge formation were observed. Compared with dentin adhesive system, these materials were biocompatible and good for pulp tissue regeneration.

In dentin adhesive system group, severe inflammatory cell infiltration, pulp tissue degeneration and pulp tissue necrosis were observed. It seemed evident that application of dentin adhesive system in direct pulp capping of beagle dog teeth cannot lead to acceptable repair of the pulp tissue with dentine bridge formation.