Autoradiographic study of the incorporation of calcium into newly formed hard tissue after pulpotomy

Abstract

^<45>Ca-labeled calcium hydroxide was placed on the pulpotomy site in dog's teeth to investigate the possibility of ^<45>Ca incorporation into reparative dentin. ^<45>Ca-labeled calcium chloride was also injected intravenously following pulpotomy using nonlabeled calcium hydroxide to determine the origin of calcium in reparative dentin. Teeth containing the labeled compounds were examined autoradiographically. There was no evidence of ^<45>Ca from calcium hydroxide in the area of new dentin formation. Intravenously injected ^<45>Ca was incorporated into the dentin bridge. Calcium ions from the calcium hydroxide did not enter into formation of reparative dentin. We concluded that calcium ions necessary for calcification of new dentin were derived from the systemic circulation.