In vivo dentin microhardness beneath a calcium-phosphate cement

A minimally invasive caries-removal technique preserves potentially repairable,caries-affected dentin. mineral-releasing cements may promote remineralization of soft residual dentin. this study evaluated the in vivo remineralization capacity of resin-based calcium-phosphate cement (ca-po 4) used for indirect pulp-capping. permanent carious and sound teeth indicated for extraction were excavated and restored either with or without the ca-po4 base (control),followed by adhesive restoration. study teeth were extracted after 3 months,followed by sectioning and in vitro microhardness analysis of the cavity floor to 115-μm depth. caries-affected dentin that received acid conditioning prior to ca-po4 basing showed significantly increased knoop hardness near the cavity floor. the non-etched group presented results similar to those of the non-treated group. acid etching prior to cement application increased microhardness of residual dentin near the interface after 3 months in situ. © international & american associations for dental research.