Histopathological evaluation of human pulp response to two self-etching resins

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the human pulp response following the application of two proprietary self-etch adhesive systems (Clearfil Protect Bond and Clearfil SE Bond). Materials and Methods: Deep Class V cavities were prepared on the teeth scheduled to be extracted. Cavities were covered with a composite resin (Clearfil APX) following the application of the bonding agents. The teeth were extracted after 7 or 90 days and prepared for histological investigation. The pulp response was categorized. Two cavities were restored with calcium hydroxide used as the control in the 7-day period. The data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Inflammatory cell infiltration was not shown in most of the teeth. No significant statistical difference concerning all the histological evaluation criteria was observed among the groups of adhesive systems or between the control group and the groups of adhesive systems. (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Both bonding systems were found biologically compatible with pulp tissues in non-exposed cavities.