Effect of a light-curing unit on the PGE2 concentration from the pulp fiber in an animal model

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been suggested as an indicator of irreversible pulpitis in permanent teeth. The aim of the present study was to investigate the PGE2 concentration detected in pulp fiber harvested from teeth in a primate following light exposure to resin composite restorations. The investigation involved three monkeys from which twelve PGE2 specimens were obtained. In each monkey, three teeth were involved for which each tooth was restored by resin composite and polymerized with eithe the pulse lighting in 10 sec, the pulse lighting in 20 sec or the continuous lighting in 20 sec as comparison and a tooth without treatment was used as control. An immunoassay was used to detect the Optical Density level then converted to PGE2 concentrations. The application of the pulse lighting in either 10 or 20 sec, the continuous-lighting curing units in 20 sec and the control showed the mean (log) PGE2 concentration of ranging from 6.37±0.93 to 24.9±6.81 pg/mL, respectively. PGE2 correlated positively with light exposure from the pulse lighting in 10 and 20 sec, as well as, the continuous lighting in 20 sec to the of restored resin composites.