Human dental pulp cell responses to new calcium silicate-based endodontic materials

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Pulp Biology
• Regenerative Dentistry

Background:

• Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a widely used dental material for pulp capping and root canal filling.
• Evaluating novel biomaterials for dental pulp regeneration is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
• Radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement (DSC) is a potential alternative to MTA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the biological responses of human dental pulp cells to a radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement (DSC) and white-colored mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA).
• To assess cell cycle progression, proliferation, and gene expression profiles of dental pulp cells when cultured on these two materials.

Main Methods:

• Human dental pulp cells were cultured on DSC and WMTA.
• Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry.
• Cell proliferation was monitored using the Alamar Blue assay.
• Gene expression of inflammatory and osteogenic markers was evaluated using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Main Results:

• DSC demonstrated similar cell cycle distribution (S and G2 phases) and proliferation rates to WMTA at all tested time points.
• Both materials induced comparable expression levels of interleukin-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein.
• The gene expression profiles showed similar evolutionary patterns for both DSC and WMTA.

Conclusions:

• Radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement elicits comparable dental pulp cell responses to WMTA.
• DSC exhibits similar biocompatibility and osteogenic differentiation potential as WMTA.
• These findings support the potential of DSC as a viable alternative to WMTA in endodontic applications.