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. 

 

 

 

 

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The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.