In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of four vital pulp therapy materials on l929 fibroblasts

The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity of direct pulp capping materials such as Dycal, Life, ProRoot MTA, and Super-Bond C&B on L929 fibroblasts. Freshly mixed or set materials were prepared and eluted by incubation with cell culture medium for working time period (fresh) or for 6 hours (set). The cells were exposed to media containing elutes for 24 hours, after which the cell survival was evaluated by MTS assays. In freshly mixed materials, average ± standard deviation % cell viabilities were 40.2 ± 14.0%, 43.7 ± 16.0%, 72.9 ± 12.7%, and 66.0 ± 13.6% for Dycal, Life, ProRoot MTA, and Super-Bond C&B, respectively. There was no statistical difference in cell viabilities among material groups, whereas in set materials, the cell viabilities were 48.7 ± 14.8%, 37.2 ± 10.6%, 46.7 ± 15.2%, and 100 ± 21.9% for Dycal, Life, ProRoot MTA, and Super-Bond C&B, respectively. Super-Bond C&B showed more cell viabilities than the other three material groups (P < 0.05). The four vital pulp therapy materials had similar cytotoxicity when the materials were fresh. Super-Bond C&B was less cytotoxic than Dycal, Life, and ProRoot MTA after the materials were set, which suggests the use of SB-C&B in future in vivo clinical investigations.