Biologic Response of Human Deciduous Dental Pulp Cells on Newly Developed MTA-like Materials

Abstract

This study compared the in vitro cell viability and differentiation potentials of human deciduous dental pulp cells (DPCs) on mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-like products (ProRoot MTA, RetroMTA and Endocem Zr). The experimental materials were prepared as circular discs, which were used to test the effects of the materials on the viability of human DPCs when placed in direct and indirect contact. Furthermore, the pH of the extracted materials was recorded, and their effect on cell differentiation potential was evaluated by evaluating the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and Alizarin Red S staining of DPCs incubated with the test materials. In direct contact, the cell viability of human DPCs was higher with ProRoot MTA and RetroMTA than with Endocem Zr. However, when in indirect contact, the cell viability of human DPCs was generally higher in Endocem Zr than in ProRoot MTA and Retro MTA. With respect to pH, the alkalinity was lower for Endocem Zr than for the other test materials. The ALP activities of the cells were not enhanced by any of the experimental materials. Alizarin Red S staining of the tested human DPCs revealed that their differentiation potential was lower than for cells incubated with osteogenic induction medium. While there were differences in the responses of the human DPCs to the test materials, all displayed degrees of cytotoxicity and were unable to enhance either the viability or differentiation of human DPCs. However, Endocem Zr exhibited better cell viability and was less alkaline than the other test materials.