Comparative Analysis of Porosity in Anadara granosa (Blood Cockle) Shells and Calcium Hydroxide for Pulp-Capping Applications

Background: Maintaining tooth vitality is a pivotal aim of pulp capping treatments, which stimulate the formation of tertiary dentin as a reparative tissue response. Calcium hydroxide, commonly employed as the standard material in pulp capping, carries the risk of leakage due to tunnel defects in its porous structure. Blood cockle shells, comprising 98% calcium carbonate, offer an alternative material with bone-mimicking properties and structures. Objective: To compare and analyze the porosity discrepancies between calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate sourced from blood cockle shells using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image analysis, aiming to provide detailed insights into the material's structural characteristics. Methods: This study is a laboratory-based experimental investigation utilising a post-test control group design. Calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate samples were freeze-dried and scrutinised using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Subsequent porosity analysis was conducted using ImageJ software. Result: The research results revealed an average porosity of 9.82% for CaCO3 , which was significantly lower than the porosity of Ca(OH)2 (p < 0.05), indicating superior mechanical properties. Conclusion: The porosity of calcium carbonate in blood cockle shells is lower than calcium hydroxide which is the gold standard pulp capping material so the calcium carbonate can be used to induce dentinogenesis.