Abstract
The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of ${\beta}GP$ in the remaining dental pulp tissue after pulpotomy in the dogs' teeth. For vital pulpotomy, 72 dogs' teeth were used and class V cavities were prepared and the pulps were amputated. ZOE and Dycal (Caulk Co., USA) were placed over the amputated tissue and cavities were sealed with ZOE cement in the control group. In the experimental group, ${\beta}GP$, ${\beta}GP$-ZOE, ${\beta}GP$-Dycal were placed over the exposed pulp tissues respectively. Dogs were sacrificed after 1, 2 and 4 weeks following the operations and the teeth were decalcified in the nitric acid, sectioned and stained with HE for light microscopic examination. For electron microscopic examination, specimens were made after 2 and 4 weeks following the operation. A comparative microscopic examination revealed as follows. 1. The dentin bridge was formed continuously due to osteodentin in the ${\beta}GP$-Dycal group at the 2nd week, the dentin bridge composed of osteodentin and tubular dentin was observed at the 4th week. 2. Osteodentin formation was vigorously in the ${\beta}GP$-Dycal than in the Dycal group. 3. In the surface of osteodentin the osteodentinoblasts showing vivid synthetic activity were observed and the matrix vesicles were presented during calcification of osteoid dentin matrix. 4. The dentin bridge formation was not observed in ${\beta}GP$ group and ${\beta}GP$-ZOE group.