PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate dentin rehardening in the remaining carious dentin after indirect pulp treatment (IPT) using microhardness analysis after 37 to 71 months.
METHODS
Eighteen teeth submitted to IPT and capped with calcium hydroxide (CH) or gutta-percha (GP) were evaluated (treated group). Ten sound molars and 10 molars with deep acute carious lesions were selected to serve as positive and negative control groups, respectively. In the treated group, restorations and pulp-capping materials were removed. In the positive control group, 3- to 4-mm deep cavities were prepared. In the negative control group, the carious tissue was removed. Microhardness analysis was performed at 10-, 35-, 60-, 85-, and 110-microm depths. Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance (P<.05).
RESULTS
Microhardness values for sound, carious, and treated groups at 10-, 35-, 60-, 85-, and 110-microm depths showed a statistically significant difference (P<or=.01) among the groups for microhardness. No difference was observed between CH- and GP-treated groups for microhardness.
CONCLUSION
The results showed a hardness increase in treated teeth when compared to carious teeth in all dentin depths investigated, suggesting mineral gain after treatment.