(PR027) Dura Mater Substitutes as Pulp Capping Materials in Vital Pulp Therapy: A Pilot Evaluation of Their Water Sorption and Fluid Infiltration Properties

Objective: The inability of expansion by the pulpal chamber causes the pressure of the inflamed pulp to exceed that of the pulp venules. The cranium has a similar environment to the tooth in this regard, and dura mater substitutes are often used to cover inflamed brain tissues. We hypothesized that dura mater substitutes can serve as fluid-buffering materials in vital pulp therapy. This study aimed to evaluate their water sorption and fluid infiltration rates to determine whether they can absorb tissue fluids. Materials &

Methods: Two artificial dura mater substitutes were selected: Neuropatch (B. Braun, Tuttlingen, Germany) and Biodesign (Cook Biotech Incorporated, Bloomington, IN, USA). We also analyzed the effectiveness of Histoacryl (B. Braun, Tuttlingen, Germany), a bioadhesive. The water sorption capacities of both membranes were estimated by measuring mass changes; fluid-infiltration rate of each membrane was also measured. The findings were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test using Prism 9 (version 9.4.1) (GraphPad Software, LLC, San Diego, CA, USA) (p < 0.05).

Results: The water sorption and fluid infiltration rates of Biodesign were significantly higher than those of Neuropatch (p < 0.05). When applying a composite resin to the specimens to simulate a clinical scenario, the fluid infiltration rates of Neuropatch and Biodesign groups were significantly different than those in the control resin group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, both artificial dura mater substitutes can serve as buffers for tissue fluids in vital pulp therapy.