Objective: In the present study, Alendronate (ALN) was evaluated histologically for its effect on pulp tissue in comparison with Formocresol (FC) and Calcium Hydroxide (CH) in amputated rat molars.

Methods: A total of 72 molars of 12 male Wistar albino rats were amputated. Following routine clinical steps, pulp stumps were covered with 900 μg ALN in the experimental group. FC and CH served as negative and positive control groups respectively. All cavities were sealed with zinc phosphate cement (Adhesor, Spofa Dental, Hungary) and non-gamma 2 amalgam (Permite, SDI, Victoria, Australia). Histological evaluations were performed on days 7, 15, 30, 60 and statistical analysis of selected histological criteria was carried out using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests at p=0.05.

Results: In all groups, the exposure sites revealed absence of healing at days 30 and 60 due to microleakage, while a regular deposition of dentin was evident along the pulpal walls of the radicular dentin in ALN and CH groups. In the FC group, radicular pulp tissue showed a generalized disorganization and incomplete fixation. In days 30 and 60, there were no statistically significant differences between the inflammatory cell response and hard tissue deposition scores for CH and ALN groups.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that Alendronate may be capable of maintaining pulpal vitality while promoting hard tissue formation, similar to Calcium Hydroxide.

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