Cytotoxic effect of MTA and CEM cement in human gingival fibroblast cells. Scanning electronic microscope evaluation

In this ex-vivo study, we assessed the adhesion of human gingival fibroblast (HGF) to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement using a scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Test biomaterials were prepared and inserted in polyethylene wells (n = 18). Glass coverslips were used for control groups. HGFs were seeded in the glass coverslips, MTA and CEM. For the positive-control group, distilled water was added to the medium; the samples were observed with SEM at one, three and seven-day intervals. Normal cell morphology was observed in the negative controls. In the positive controls, round cells with rougher surfaces were seen; these cells showed few attachments to the glass coverslip. HGFs spread and adhered similarly on MTA and CEM by forming a monolayer of flat cells; there were no statistical differences between these two experimental groups. HGF cells displayed a favorable biologic response in contact with MTA and CEM. This demonstrates non-cytotoxicity of CEM as a novel endodontic biomaterial.