Implementing microfluidic flow device model in utilizing dural substitutes as pulp capping materials for vital pulp...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Vital pulp therapy (VPT) aims to preserve tooth vitality, but mineral trioxide aggregates (MTAs) can cause canal calcification, complicating retreatment.
• Current VPT materials may lead to adverse effects like calcification, necessitating exploration of safer alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate dural substitutes as potential replacements for MTAs in VPT.
• To assess the mechanical properties and biological responses of dural substitutes with dental stem cells and endothelial cells.
• To investigate the efficacy of a microfluidic device for simulating pulp environments.

Main Methods:

• Mechanical properties of dural substitutes (Biodesign; BD and Neuro-Patch; NP) were assessed.
• Biological responses of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated.
• A microfluidic flow device, validated by computational fluid dynamics, simulated intra-pulp blood flow.

Main Results:

• Dural substitutes resisted penetration by 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HEMA) from restorative materials.
• BD and NP maintained the original characteristics and gene expression of hDPSCs and HUVECs.
• Unlike MTA, dural substitutes did not induce adverse gene expression changes in tested cells.

Conclusions:

• Dural substitutes are promising alternatives for VPT due to HEMA resistance and stemness preservation.
• The microfluidic device effectively models pulp conditions, serving as a potential in vivo testing platform.