The Effect of the Combination of Calcium Hydroxide With Green Tea Extract and Calcium Hydroxide With Cacao Peel Extract on the Number of Odontoblast-like Cells and Collagen Type I

Introduction: Pulp capping is an endodontic treatment that maintains the vitality of the pulp tissue. Green tea and cacao have antioxidant properties that may inhibit inflammation, thus improve pulp capping result when mixed with calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), which has been the gold standard for pulp capping treatment. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of green tea and cacao extracts combined with calcium hydroxide on the number of odontoblast like-cells and type I collagen expression, which marks the repair process. Methods: The occlusal surface of the right maxillary first molar of rats was prepared until pulp was exposed. The combined materials were directly applied to the exposed pulp. All cavities were restored with GIC. The rats were sacrificed on day 7 and 28. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed to determine the number of odontoblast-like cells and type I collagen expression. Results: The highest average number of odontoblast-like cells on day 28 in the calcium hydroxide-cacao, calcium hydroxide-green tea, and the control group were 14.4, 13.2 and 7.8 cells/region, respectively, while the type I collagen expression were observed at 14.0, 13.0 and 6.8 cells/region, respectively. Conclusion: Cacao peel and green tea extract can be added to the current endodontic treatments to improve results.