Enzyme activity in the pulp following preparation of cavities and insertion of medicaments in cavities in monkey teeth.

The effect of cavity preparation, calcium hydroxide and a corticosteroid on pulpal enzymes (Alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase, cytochrome oxidase and succinate, lactate and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) in monkey teeth has been studied by histochemical means. Cavity preparation with an air turbine and sufficient spray apparently did not affect the enzyme activity of the pulp, nor did application of a corticosteroid to the cavity floor. Twenty-four hours after calcium hydroxide application an increase in enzyme activity was found in the ondontoblastic and subodontoblastic cell layers subjacent to the calcium hydroxide-covered dentin. This activity seemed to demonstrate an onset of dentin formation, and 15 days after the application a slight amount of secondary dentin was found subjacent to the cavities in these teeth.