The effect of calcium hydroxide on porcine pulp fibroblasts in vitro

The effect of Ca(OH) 2 solution (0.001137 g/ml) on DNA synthesis of porcine pulp fibroblasts in vitro was evaluated by measuring the rate of [ 3 H]TdR uptake. The data indicated that there was a significant increase in the uptake rate when 0.025 ml of the Ca(OH) 2 solution was added to the culture medium. This effect was not apparent when 0.050 ml of Ca(OH) 2 solution was used. It appears, therefore, that the presence of certain concentrations of calcium hydroxide are mitogenic for pulp fibroblasts while others are not. The significance of these findings relative to the clinical use of calcium hydroxide compounds in dental therapeutics is discussed.