International Journal of Dental Sciences

Authors
Cindy Ramadhan Putri, Nirawati Pribadi, Rini Devijanti Ridwan, Retno Pudji Rahayu

Abstract
Background: Dental pulp inflammation caused by caries has higher prevalence than pulp inflammation caused by trauma. Lactobacillus is one of cariogenic and a gram-positive bacterium which is the largest lactic acid-producing bacteria. The species of Lactobacillus found in caries are Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp). Lp has the virulence factor Lipotechoic acid (LTA) which plays an important role in bacterial adhesion and induction of inflammatory mediators that cause tissue damage. Macrophage plays a role in the immune system and will increase during inflammation by producing proinflammatory cytokine, one of them is tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Objective: To know the role of LTA Lp on the number of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in dental pulp. Methods: 48 wistar rats were divided into control and treatment groups. The tooth of samples in control group were perforated then filled with cention-N material, in other group, The tooth of samples in treatment group were perforated then added with LTA Lp 10 µg/ml and then filled with cention-N material. On day 1, 3, 5 rats were sacrificed and maxilla was removed and then stained with Hematoxylin Eosin (HE) on histopathological examination, the number of TNF-α was observed using microscope with 400x magnification. Statistical data analysis was carried out by using independent t-test. Result: There is a significant difference in the number of TNF-α on day 1, 3, 5 and between the control and treatment groups. Conclusion: Giving LTA Lp at a dose of 10 µg/ml can increase the number of TNF-α in the dental pulp.