The study was designed to assess dentine remineralization reaction in acute dental caries therapy. Material and method. The study included 18 patients with 40 teeth diagnosed with acute dental caries. The dental caries therapy consisted of the stepwise approach. Pulp and dentinal alterations were assessed by clinical examination and periapical radiographs at the beginning and after 24 weeks of treatment.
The tested materials were calcium hydroxide liner (Dycal, DeTreyDentsply), zinc-oxide eugenol cement (Caryosan, Spofa) and glass ionomer cement (Ketac, ESPE). Results. Dentine remineralization reactions associated with pulp vitality preservation occurred in 85% of the patients that received stepwise therapy with calcium hydroxide liner and zinc-oxide eugenol cement, 70% of the patients that underwent zinc-oxide eugenol cement therapy and 80% of the patients that were subjected to the combination of calcium hydroxide liner and temporary glass ionomer cement filling.
Conclusion. The use of the stepwise approach in acute caries therapy allows a more conservative approach of the restorative treatment and an objective clinical and X-ray assessment of dentine remineralization reactions in the affected teeth. The best dentine remineralization effects were achieved by using an association of calcium hydroxide liner and zinc-oxide eugenol cement.