Integrating Phosphate Enhances Biomineralization Effect of Methacrylate Cement in Vital Pulp Treatment with Improved Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Stimulation

Abstract

Vital pulp treatment (VPT) is crucial for preserving the health and function of the tooth in cases where the pulp tissue remains vital despite exposure. Various materials are introduced for this purpose. However, challenges such as low strength, high solubility, and tooth discoloration persist. Methylmethacrylate-based cement (MC) offers excellent sealing ability, feasibility, and mechanical properties, making it a promising alternative for VPT. Phosphate-based glass (PBG) has the potential to promote hard tissue regeneration by releasing key inducers, phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca), for reparative odontogenesis. This study investigates PBG-integrated MC (PIMC) by characterizing its properties, assessing human dental pulp stem cell activity related to initial inflammatory adaptation and odontogenic differentiation, and evaluating hard tissue formation using an in vivo dog pulpotomy model. Results indicate that a 5% PBG-integrated MC (5PIMC) maintains the physicochemical properties of MC. Furthermore, 5PIMC demonstrates cytocompatibility, excellent expression of osteo/odontogenic markers, and resistance to inflammatory markers, significantly outperforming MC. Enhanced hard tissue formation is observed in the dental pulp of mongrel dog teeth treated with 5PIMC. These findings suggest that 5PIMC could be an optimal and suitable material for reparative odontogenesis through VPT.