# Evaluation of the physical properties of bromelain-modified biodentine for direct pulp capping

## TL;DR

This study evaluates how adding bromelain affects the physical properties of Biodentine for use in direct pulp capping in dental treatments.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is assessing bromelain-modified Biodentine's suitability for direct pulp capping by testing its physical properties.

## Key findings

- Bromelain-modified Biodentine showed no significant differences in compressive strength and radiopacity compared to standard Biodentine.
- The modified material exhibited significantly improved flow, which could enhance its clinical application.
- Solubility was slightly higher in bromelain-modified Biodentine but not statistically significant.

## Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the compressive strength, solubility, radiopacity, and flow of Bromelain (BR)-modified Biodentine (BD) for direct pulp capping (DPC). This is suggested to determine the impact of BR on the physical properties of BD.

Eighty samples were prepared according to the ISO and ADA specifications and evaluated for compressive strength, solubility, radiopacity, and flow. The compressive strength was evaluated at 24 h and 21 days via a universal testing machine. The solubility was determined by weight loss after 24-hours immersion in deionized water. Radiopacity was assessed via X-ray with aluminum step-wedges, and flow was measured by the diameter of the discs under a standard weight. Independent sample t-tests were used to statistically assess the data. A significance level of 5% was considered.

The compressive strength was 41.08 ± 1.84 MPa for BD and 40.92 ± 1.80 MPa for BR + BD after 24 h, and 88.93 ± 3.39 MPa for BD and 87.92 ± 3.76 MPa for BR + BD after 21 days, with no significant differences. Solubility was slightly greater in the BR + BD (2.75 ± 0.10%) compared to BD (2.62 ± 0.25%), but not significantly different. The radiopacity was similar between BD (2.82 ± 0.11 mm) and BR + BD (2.73 ± 0.10 mm). BR + BD resulted in significantly greater flow (9.99 ± 0.18 mm) than did BD (9.65 ± 0.27 mm) (p ≤ 0.05).

BR-modified BD maintains BD’s physical properties, with improved flow, making it a promising DPC agent that warrants further study.