MTA Outperformed Bioactive Glass in Pulp Capping Trial
A clinical trial of 44 teeth found MTA achieved higher survival rates than 45S5 bioactive glass for pulp capping.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Stroke
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Researchers compared MTA and 45S5 bioactive glass for direct pulp capping in 44 mature permanent teeth. The study found that MTA demonstrated a significantly higher clinical survival probability compared to the bioactive glass.
Why it matters
The study identifies the choice of pulp-capping material as a key factor in treatment success, with MTA showing a clear advantage. This evidence helps clinicians select more effective materials to preserve tooth vitality in patients aged 15 to 40.
The clinical trial analyzed 44 teeth across an age range of 15 to 40 years, reporting a 0.002 P-value for the difference in clinical survival between the two materials. The study used a 1:1 randomization ratio for the treatments.
The details
Teeth were evaluated for pulp oxygen saturation levels, which showed no significant change for either material, with P-values of 0.665 for MTA and 0.723 for 45S5 bioactive glass. Kaplan-Meier analysis confirmed that the type of pulp-capping material was the only variable significantly associated with treatment failure.
Timeline
Baseline assessments were conducted at the start of the study.
Follow-up assessments were performed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months.
Health Landscape
This study contributes to the clinical evaluation of direct pulp capping standards, refining the criteria for dental practitioners. It provides a comparative benchmark that improves upon legacy treatment protocols by highlighting the specific material efficacy gap.
Patients undergoing direct pulp capping can expect clinicians to prioritize MTA due to its superior survival record compared to alternative glass materials. This evidence assists dental professionals in choosing treatments that reduce the risk of future procedure failure.
The takeaway
Selecting the appropriate material for pulp capping is essential for ensuring long-term tooth survival after dental procedures. Clinicians should view MTA as a highly reliable option for maintaining pulp vitality compared to bioactive glass alternatives.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest dental research and treatment outcomes in the Stroke section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
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