Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the pulp response to F18 and cobalt-doped F18 bioglass (F18Co) in comparison with calcium hydroxide (CH) after pulp capping. The maxillary first molars of 48 rats were divided into F18, F18Co, CH, and control (no intervention) groups. The pulp was exposed, the materials were placed, and the teeth were capped. After 7 and 15 days, the animals were euthanized for pulp evaluation and interleukin (IL) expression determination. Statistical analysis was carried out using the SigmaPlot® program (Systat Software Inc., for Windows, version 12.0). The data obtained in the analyses were subjected to the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test. For all tests, statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The CH group exhibited mild to moderate inflammation, whereas the bioglass groups displayed moderate to severe inflammation, indicating a notable difference between the control and bioglass groups. At 7 days, both the CH and most of the bioglass specimens showed moderate disorganization. On day 15, CH displayed mildto-moderate disorganization, whereas F18 and F18Co exhibited significantly more moderate-to-severe disorganization. There were no significant differences in IL-6 and IL-10 expressions between groups at 7 days, but a noteworthy increase in IL-1β was observed in both CH and F18. After 15 days, there was a greater expression of IL-6 and IL-1β in the bioglass groups. No significant IL-10 expression was observed. Bioglass performed less effectively than CH when in direct contact with the pulp tissue.