Correlation of clinical symptoms and histological pulp reaction in primary molars with caries lesions

Abstract

This investigation assessed the histological appearance of the pulp of40 primary molars with dentinal caries in children aging from 5 to 8 years old, related to presence or absence of symptomatology. The type ofcaries (activeor arrested) was also related to clinical symptoms. The histological diagnosis was classified in acute and chronic inflammatory reactions. The results showed that acute inflammatory reaction was associated to the absenceofsymptomatology(Fisher's test, p = 0.000). Acute caries lesions were correlated to acute pulp reaction and arrested lesions were associated with chronic pulp reaction (Fisher's test, p = 0.031). Reparative dentin was present in 94%ofthe sample, which indicates that deciduous teeth may react to irritants, although it may not prevent irritants from reaching the pulpal tissue. The presence or absence of symptomatology may be a good indicator of the histological status ofthe pulp.