Neodentinal bridges formed in 14 human premolars following direct pulp capping with a calcium hydroxide paste (Pulpdent) were microradiographically assessed. Densitometric measurements were made in the longitudinal sections of the bridges, revealing an increase in the mean mineral content per volume after progressively longer postoperative periods ranging from 2 to 15 wk. Transverse measurements made through each of two 15-wk bridges confirmed the presence of three layers: the superior amorphous layer yielded the lowest mineral content of 32.3 and 34.8% by volume; the medial (atubular) fibrodentine layer exhibited the highest scores of 48.1 and 50.1%, greater than those of the lateral dentine walls (43 to 48%); and the inferior juxtapulpal layer of tubular orthodentine contained 41.0 and 42.2% mineral per volume. With the new photoelectronic ASBA equipment the presence of centers of high mineral density within the medial fibrodentinal layer was confirmed. Neodentinal bridges formed in 14 human premolars following direct pulp capping with a calcium hydroxide paste (Pulpdent) were microradiographically assessed. Densitometric measurements were made in the longitudinal sections of the bridges, revealing an increase in the mean mineral content per volume after progressively longer postoperative periods ranging from 2 to 15 wk. Transverse measurements made through each of two 15-wk bridges confirmed the presence of three layers: the superior amorphous layer yielded the lowest mineral content of 32.3 and 34.8% by volume; the medial (atubular) fibrodentine layer exhibited the highest scores of 48.1 and 50.1%, greater than those of the lateral dentine walls (43 to 48%); and the inferior juxtapulpal layer of tubular orthodentine contained 41.0 and 42.2% mineral per volume. With the new photoelectronic ASBA equipment the presence of centers of high mineral density within the medial fibrodentinal layer was confirmed. Se confirmó microrradiográficamente la formación de puentes neodentinarios en 14 premolares humanos después de realizar protección pulpar directa con pasta de hidróxido de calcio (Pulpdent). Se hicieron mediciones densitométricas en los cortes longitudinales de los puentes, revelando un aumento en el contenido mineral medio por volumen (de acuerdo con Angmar) después de períodos postoperatorios progresivamente más largos, desde dos a quince semanas. Las mediciones transversales a través de uno de cada dos de los 15 puentes débiles confirmaron la presencia de tres capas: la superior, capa amorfa que rindió el menor contenido mineral de 32.3 y 34.8% por volumen; la capa media de fibrodentina tubular, exhibió los promedios más altos de 48.1 y 50.1%, mayor que aquellos de las paredes laterales de dentina (43 a 48%); y la inferior, capa yuxtapulpar de ortodentina tubular, contenía 41.0 y 42.2% de mineral por volumen. Con el neuvo equipo fotoelectronico ASBA se confirmó la presencia de centros de alta densidad mineral dentro de la capa fibrodentinaria media. Se confirmó microrradiográficamente la formación de puentes neodentinarios en 14 premolares humanos después de realizar protección pulpar directa con pasta de hidróxido de calcio (Pulpdent). Se hicieron mediciones densitométricas en los cortes longitudinales de los puentes, revelando un aumento en el contenido mineral medio por volumen (de acuerdo con Angmar) después de períodos postoperatorios progresivamente más largos, desde dos a quince semanas. Las mediciones transversales a través de uno de cada dos de los 15 puentes débiles confirmaron la presencia de tres capas: la superior, capa amorfa que rindió el menor contenido mineral de 32.3 y 34.8% por volumen; la capa media de fibrodentina tubular, exhibió los promedios más altos de 48.1 y 50.1%, mayor que aquellos de las paredes laterales de dentina (43 a 48%); y la inferior, capa yuxtapulpar de ortodentina tubular, contenía 41.0 y 42.2% de mineral por volumen. Con el neuvo equipo fotoelectronico ASBA se confirmó la presencia de centros de alta densidad mineral dentro de la capa fibrodentinaria media.

This study was designed to investigate by SEM the ultrastructure of the dentinal bridge formed upon pulp capping and its attachment to the contiguous dentinal walls. The pulps of 20 sound premolars and third molars were deliberately exposed and capped with a calcium hydroxide paste, Pulpdent. After 4 to 15 weeks the teeth were extracted. SEM observations suggested complete bridging, increasing in thickness after succeeding postoperative periods. Cross-sections of the specimens older than 6 weeks showed the presence of three different layers within the bridges: the superior amorphous layer was composed of tissue debris and Ca(OH)2, in the medial portion a coarse meshwork of fibers was identified as fibrodentine and the pulpal aspects exhibited tubularlike orthodentinal structures. The bridge attachment was secured by bundles of fibres linking the intertubular dentine of the pulpal walls with the dentine of the neodentinal bridge.

Oral hygiene, dental caries and periodontal diseases surveyed in 1743 children aged 12-15. Of these 879 of Black origin resided in Haiti (West Indies) and 864 of White origin in Hamburg (West Germany). Oral hygiene was assessed using the Greene & Vermillion's OHI-S, periodontal status using Ramfjord's PDI and Mühlemann's SBI and the caries rate using the DMFT and DMFS indices. Boys of all age groups showed significantly poorer oral hygiene than girls. In the Hamburg children the mean OHI-S was 1.28, in Haitians 1.14. Periodontal diseases showed equal prevalence in Haiti and Hamburg when expressed in PDI, namely 0.59, while SBI was slightly higher in the Haitians, namely 2.58 against 2.21 in the Hamburg Children. Hamburg girls showed lower PDI and SBI scores than all boys and Haitian girls. Same degrees of OHI-S caused more severe periodontal diseases among Haitian than among German children. In general, scores of OHI-S, PDI and SBI increased with age except in Haitian girls, who showed a decrease. The DMFT and DMFS of the Haitian children averaged 3.65 and 4.80 respectively, and those of the Hamburg children 8.35 and 21.09.