Tooth discoloration potential of different pulp capping materials in direct and indirect pulp capping procedures: a spectrophotometric in vitro study


TOPBAŞ C., Aslan E., Nalbant H. N., GÜNEÇ H. G., Şirin D. A.

BMC Oral Health, cilt.26, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12903-026-09277-4
  • Dergi Adı: BMC Oral Health
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Pulp capping materials, Bioceramics, Tooth discoloration, Color stability, Spectrophotometry, Vital pulp therapy
  • Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the discoloration potential of four bioceramic pulp-capping materials in the presence of blood or 0.9% normal saline (NS) under in vitro conditions. Methods: Extracted maxillary central incisors were prepared with standardized Class I cavities and allocated to blood or NS environments. Each medium was further subdivided according to the pulp-capping material used: Biodentine, NeoMTA, TotalFill Putty (TFP), and TheraCal PT (TPT). Following composite restoration, color measurements were obtained using a spectrophotometer at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. All specimens were stored in phosphate-buffered saline at 37 °C throughout the experimental period. Color change (ΔE) was analyzed using nonparametric tests (α = 0.05). Results: All materials demonstrated significant time-dependent increases in discoloration in both environments (p < 0.05). In NS, NeoMTA and TFP exhibited significantly lower ΔE values than Biodentine and TPT across all time points. In the presence of blood, Biodentine showed the greatest discoloration at each time point (p < 0.05), whereas NeoMTA and TFP maintained significantly lower values. TPT demonstrated comparable discoloration in blood and NS, with no significant differences between media (p > 0.05). Across all groups and evaluation periods, ΔE values ranged from 0.31 to 1.52. Conclusions: Blood contamination appears to be an important factor influencing the esthetic performance of bioceramic pulp-capping materials. Therefore, esthetic behavior should be considered alongside biological properties when selecting materials for vital pulp therapy, particularly in clinically visible regions where discoloration may affect treatment outcomes. Clinical Relevance: Blood contamination may increase discoloration in certain bioceramic materials; NeoMTA, TFP, and TPT may better preserve color in esthetically sensitive cases.