JDSE
Journal of Dental Sciences and Education

The Journal of Dental Sciences and Education deals with General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry, Orthodontics, Oral diagnosis and DentomaxilloFacial Radiology, Endodontics, Prosthetic Dentistry, Periodontology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Implantology, Dental Education and other dentistry fields and accepts articles on these topics. Journal of Dental Science and Education publishes original research articles, review articles, case reports, editorial commentaries, letters to the editor, educational articles, and conference/meeting announcements.

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Original Article
Evaluation of antibacterial activity of different pulp capping materials
Abstract
Aims: Pulp health is at risk from environmental factors such as caries or trauma. To prevent these risks, the pulp is treated with a capping material, either directly or indirectly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effects of four different pulp capping materials against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Methods: The antimicrobial activity of four different pulp capping materials (TheraCal, Dycal, MTA Angelus, and MTA Cem LC) and a chlorhexidine control group was assessed using the agar diffusion method at three time intervals (1, 3, and 5 days). For each experimental group, twenty samples were prepared and tested against Streptococcus mutans (ATCC® 25175) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC® 11975), which served as standard bacterial strains. The obtained data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests for multiple comparisons.
Results: Based on the overall mean values across all measurement periods, the chlorhexidine control group exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against both S. mutans and L. acidophilus. Analyzing the experimental groups, MTA Angelus, TheraCal LC, and Dycal showed antimicrobial activity against S. mutans. MTA Cem LC demonstrated no discernible antimicrobial activity. However, TheraCal LC and Dycal demonstrated antimicrobial activity against L. acidophilus. MTA Angelus and MTA Cem LC exhibited no antimicrobial activity. Statistically significant differences were observed among the groups on all measurement days (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The antibacterial performance of pulp capping materials was influenced by both material composition and bacterial species. These findings highlight the importance of considering antibacterial properties alongside biological characteristics when selecting pulp capping materials.

Keywords : Pulp capping, antibacterial activity, Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, mineral trioxide aggregate

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Article available in :
Volume 4, Issue 3, 2026
Page : 91-96
https://doi.org/10.51271/JDSE-0083
Article Information
Received : 01 Tem 2026
Accepted : 01 Ağu 2026
Published : 20 Ağu 2026
Corresponding Author :

Savaş Sağmak: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Adıyaman University, Adıyaman, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Sağmak S, Çellik Ö, Akgün S. Evaluation of antibacterial activity of different pulp capping materials. J Dent Sci Educ. 2026;4(3):91-96.

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