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Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials
Published on: July 8, 2021
Human tooth culture: a study model for reparative dentinogenesis and direct pulp capping materials biocompatibility
Odile Téclès1, Patrick Laurent, Virginie Aubut
1Laboratoire IMEB-ERT 30, Faculté d'Odontologie, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, 13355 Marseille Cedex 05, France.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. Part B, Applied Biomaterials
|September 14, 2007
Summary
This study shows that an in vitro tooth model can replicate early dentin regeneration. Biomaterials like Calcium Hydroxide and MTA trigger progenitor cells to form mineralized tissue, mimicking in vivo pulp repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Dentistry
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Previous work established an in vitro tooth model for studying pulp repair.
- Perivascular progenitor cells were shown to migrate to injury sites after pulp exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cell differentiation following direct pulp capping with dental biomaterials.
- To assess the potential of an in vitro model to mimic in vivo dentin regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Direct pulp capping of an in vitro immature human third molar model using Calcium Hydroxide XR(R) and MTA.
- Histological staining and BrdU labeling to track cell proliferation and migration.
- Immunohistochemistry for Collagen type I, Dentin sialoprotein, and Nestin to characterize matrix and cells.
Main Results:
- Mineralized foci formation observed after capping with Calcium Hydroxide XR(R) and MTA.
- BrdU-labeled cells were found within these mineralized areas.
- Molecular markers confirmed these areas resemble reparative dentin formed by odontoblast-like cells.
Conclusions:
- The in vitro entire tooth culture model successfully reproduces early stages of dentin regeneration.
- The model demonstrates that Calcium Hydroxide and MTA can induce differentiation of progenitor cells into odontoblast-like cells.
- This model shows promise for studying biomaterial effects on dentin regeneration in vitro.

