College of Dental Medicine student co-authors study published in leading dental journal

A study co-authored by student Logan Wilson was published in the June issue of The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice
A study co-authored by student Logan Wilson was published in the June issue of The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice

A study Logan Wilson (Dental Medicine, ’21) co-authored with his mentor, pediatric dentist Jonathan Shenkin, D.D.S., was published in the June issue of The Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice.

The article, “Mineral Trioxide Aggregate May Be the Most Effective Direct Pulp Capping Material,” concludes mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is more effective than calcium hydroxide (CH) at hard-tissue barrier formation in pulp capping, a dental method frequently used in restoration procedures to prevent the need for future root canal treatment.

The exposed pulp in permanent teeth poses several challenges for dentists. A successful procedure requires a thermal barrier, a dentinal healing stimulant, a fast setting time and ease of placement.

CH was long considered the gold standard for pulp capping treatment, with close to 100 years of use in dentistry. MTA is a promising alternative that has been studied for more than 20 years.

The conclusions of Wilson’s and Shenkin’s study appear consistent with previous and current studies, supporting MTA to be more effective than CH at hard-tissue barrier formation.