Abstract
The aim of the study is to histologically evaluate the effect of mixtures formed by adding different ratios of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) to Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) on rat dental pulps. 0.1% and 0.3% by weight GNP (Nanography, Ankara, Turkey) which were weighed on precision scales were added to pure Angelus MTA (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil) and mixed in agate mortar until a homogeneous mixture was obtained. 16 female Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Angelus MTA+0.1% GNP, Angelus MTA+0.3% GNP, calcium hydroxide (Dycal, Dentsply, Germany), and pure Angelus MTA were used as direct capping material on pulp perforation areas of the classV cavities of the lower two incisors of the rats (n=8). The teeth were histologically examined for dentin bridge formation and pulpal tissue responses at 1st and 4th weeks. The data of the study were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics V22 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A regenerative dentin bridge was seen from the 1st week. In the 4th week, the inflammatory reaction was mildest in the Angelus MTA+0.3% GNP group. At 4th week, the mildest hyperemia was seen in Angelus MTA+0.1%GNP and Angelus MTA+0.3%GNP groups. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of inflammatory reaction and presence of hyperemia at 1st and 4th weeks (p>0.05). The inclusion of GNP in Angelus MTA may increase the success of the treatment by alleviating the pulpal tissue response in direct pulp capping.