Hydraulic Calcium Silicate Cements Research Articles

Histological response of inflamed pulp to hydraulic calcium silicate cements in direct pulp capping: Systematic review of pulpitis models.

This systematic review aimed to compare the histological response of inflamed pulpodentinal complex to the hydraulic calcium silicate cements in experimental animal models of pulpitis. Articles that evaluated the histological response of inflamed pulp to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in comparison with other restorative materials were selected and analysed in detail. The risk of bias assessment was conducted using SYRCLE's RoB tool. The GRADEpro tool was used to determine the overall quality of evidence. Out of the 2947 retrieved articles from databases, five articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. MTA induced significantly more hard tissue formation compared to calcium hydroxide. The use of pulp-capping material containing fluocinolone acetonide and ASP/PLGA-ASP/ACP/PLLA-PLGA composite membrane was comparable. This systematic review could not demonstrate enhanced efficiency of capping materials compared to MTA. Future well-conducted animal studies are warranted for demonstrating the hard tissue formation abilities of pulp-capping materials with convenient inflammatory conditions.

Biodentine™ as a temporary filling in deep carious lesions in permanent teeth: a prospective observational 33-month follow-up study.

The study aimed to evaluate temporary fillings using Biodentine™ in asymptomatic deep carious lesions after 12, 24, and 36months in school children from the remote village of Kerung, Nepal. From November 2018 to November 2019, 91 temporary fillings were placed using Biodentine™ (a hydraulic calcium silicate cement) in permanent molars with deep carious lesions of schoolchildren in the remote district of Kerung, Nepal. These restorations were performed after selective caries removal in a non-dental setting with hand instruments and cotton roll isolation, as electric motors and saliva ejection systems were unavailable. In total, 78 single-surface and 13 multi-surface fillings were placed. Clinical and radiographic follow-up periods encompassed 12, 21, and 33months, respectively. After 12months, all single-surface fillings (100%) survived, whilst all multi-surface fillings were partially or entirely lost. The survival rate of single-surface restorations after 21 and 33months was 67.6% and 50%, respectively. Radiographically, no pathology was observed. This study showed that Biodentine could be used in deep carious lesions as a temporary filling in single-surface lesions for at least up to 1year and in a substantial number of cases for up to 21 and 33months.

Evaluation of the Marginal Adaptation of Two Hydraulic Calcium Silicate Cements Used in Apical Plugs: An In Vitro Study

Background: The emergence of new hydraulic calcium silicate cements has revolutionized endodontics, addressing the limitations of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The aim of this study is to assess and compare the marginal adaptation of two calcium silicate-based cements (White ProRoot MTA® and TotalFill® BC RRM Fast Set PuttyTM), when creating apical plugs for teeth with open apices. Methods: twenty-four single-rooted teeth were divided into two groups—GMTA (plug with MTA®) and GTBC (plug with TotalFill® BC RRM Fast Set PuttyTM)—and were sectioned at 1 mm and 2 mm from the apex. The transverse sections were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy and the marginal adaptation of the cements was measured with ImageJ® 1.3 software. Statistical analysis (IBM® SPSS® statistics software version 27) was performed and statistical significance was set at 0.05 (p < 0.05). Results: There was a significant difference in the apical region, favoring White ProRoot MTA®, with a lower percentage of marginal adaptation failure (1.32 ± 4.47), presenting a statistically significant difference in the apical region (p = 0.029) but not in the cervical region of the apical plugs (p = 0.774). Conclusions: White ProRoot MTA® showed superior marginal adaptation in the apical section compared to TotalFill® BC RRM Fast Set PuttyTM.

Antibacterial Activity of Root Repair Cements in Contact with Dentin-An Ex Vivo Study.

This study assessed the antibacterial characteristics of the dentin/material interface and dentin surfaces exposed to experimental hydraulic calcium silicate cement (HCSC) with or without bioactive glass (BG) replacement (20% or 40%) or mixed with a silver nanoparticle (SNP) solution (1 or 2 mg/mL), and Biodentine, TotalFill BC RRM putty and Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM). Human root dentin segments with test materials were assessed at 1 or 28 days. In one series, the specimens were split to expose the dentin and material surfaces. A 24 h direct contact test was conducted against three-day established Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa monospecies biofilms. In another series, the dentin/material interface of intact specimens was exposed to biofilm membranes for 3 days and the antibacterial activity was assessed via confocal microscopy. The interface was additionally characterised. All one-day material and dentin surfaces were antibacterial. Dentin surfaces exposed to HCSC with 40% BG-replacement, Biodentine and IRM had decreased antibacterial properties compared to those of the other cements. The HCSC mixed with a 2 mg/mL SNP solution had the highest antimicrobial effect in the confocal assay. The interfacial characteristics of HCSCs were similar. The test materials conferred antibacterial activity onto the adjacent dentin. The BG reduced the antibacterial effect of dentin exposed to HCSC; a 2 mg/mL SNP solution increased the antibacterial potential for longer interaction periods (three-day exposure).

The Combined Effects of Hydraulic Calcium Silicate Cement and Enamel Matrix Derivative Regarding Osteogenic and Dentinogenic Differentiation on Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells.

The ideal treatment option for immature necrotic permanent teeth is regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), the conventional cement used for regenerative endodontic procedures, induces hard tissue repair. Various hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) also promote osteoblast proliferation. The purpose of the present study was to determine the osteogenic and dentinogenic potential of commercially distributed MTA and HCSCs when applied in combination with Emdogain gel on human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). The presence of Emdogain resulted in greater cell viability, and higher alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in the Emdogain-supplemented groups in the early days of cell culture. On qRT-PCR, the groups treated, respectively, with Biodentine and Endocem MTA Premixed in the presence of Emdogain showed an increased expression of the dentin formation marker DSPP, and the group treated with Endocem MTA Premixed in the presence of Emdogain showed an upregulated expression of the bone formation markers OSX and RUNX2. In an Alizarin Red-S staining assay, all of the experimental groups exhibited a greater formation of calcium nodules when treated in combination with Emdogain. Overall, the cytotoxicity and osteogenic/odontogenic potential of HCSCs were similar to that of ProRoot MTA. The addition of the EMD increased the osteogenic and dentinogenic differentiation markers.

Fracture resistance of simulated immature maxillary anterior teeth restored with various canal filling materials, with micro-posts or with a fiber post.

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the fracture resistance of immature anterior teeth restored with different biomaterials. After preparation of bovine incisors to simulate immature permanent teeth, 98 specimens were assigned into seven groups as follows: G1 -negative control group; G2 -apexification with hydraulic calcium silicate cement in the whole root; G3 -apexification and gutta percha; G4 -apexification and fiber post; G5 -apexification with micro-posts; G6 -apexification with composite; and G7 -revascularization. Both the fracture resistance and the location where the fracture occurred were recorded. Group 4 with a fiber post increased fracture resistance value compared to control (p<0.05). The different tested biomaterials did not influence the location where the fractures occurred among the seven groups (χ21=1.760, p=0.1846).

In Vivo Assessment of the Apatite-Forming Ability of New-Generation Hydraulic Calcium Silicate Cements Using a Rat Subcutaneous Implantation Model.

Hydroxyapatite formation on endodontic hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) plays a significant role in sealing the root canal system and elevating the hard-tissue inductivity of the materials. This study evaluated the in vivo apatite-forming ability of 13 new-generation HCSCs using an original HCSC (white ProRoot MTA: PR) as a positive control. The HCSCs were loaded into polytetrafluoroethylene tubes and implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of 4-week-old male Wistar rats. At 28 days after implantation, hydroxyapatite formation on the HCSC implants was assessed with micro-Raman spectroscopy, surface ultrastructural and elemental characterization, and elemental mapping of the material-tissue interface. Seven new-generation HCSCs and PR had a Raman band for hydroxyapatite (v1 PO43- band at 960 cm-1) and hydroxyapatite-like calcium-phosphorus-rich spherical precipitates on the surfaces. The other six HCSCs with neither the hydroxyapatite Raman band nor hydroxyapatite-like spherical precipitates did not show calcium-phosphorus-rich hydroxyapatite-layer-like regions in the elemental mapping. These results indicated that 6 of the 13 new-generation HCSCs possessed little or no ability to produce hydroxyapatite in vivo, unlike PR. The weak in vivo apatite-forming ability of the six HCSCs may have a negative impact on their clinical performance.

Microstructure and color stability of calcium silicate-based dental materials exposed to blood or platelet-rich fibrin.

To investigate the effects of blood and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), commonly used scaffolds in regenerative endodontic treatment (RET), on the hydration, microstructure, and color stability of three hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs), OrthoMTA, RetroMTA, and TotalFill-BC-RRM. The HCSCs were prepared and placed into polyethylene molds and transferred to Eppendorf tubes containing PRF, blood, or PBS and then incubated for 1week or 1month. The microstructure and hydration of the cements were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The chromatic alteration of materials was also measured using a spectrophotometer. The data for color stability were analyzed using 2-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. There was no significant difference between the color stability of cements exposed to PBS (p > 0.05). The chromatic alteration of cements exposed to blood was significantly greater than those exposed to PRF and PBS (p < 0.001). In the presence of blood and PRF, the color change of OrthoMTA was significantly greater than that of RetroMTA and TotalFill (p < 0.05), with no significant difference between RetroMTA and TotalFill (p > 0.05). XRD analysis of all cements revealed a calcium hydroxide peak after 1-week and 1-month exposure to the media; however, OrthoMTA and TotalFill exposed to blood and PRF for 1month showed weaker calcium hydroxide peaks. SEM images revealed cements exposed to PBS had a different surface microstructure compared to those exposed to blood and PRF. Furthermore, the surface microstructure of HCSCs was influenced by the type of cement radiopacifier (bismuth oxide or zirconium oxide). EDS analysis of the elemental composition in all groups displayed peaks of Ca, O, C, Si, P, and Al. Color stability, hydration behavior, and microstructure of HCSCs were affected by exposure to PRF and blood and the type of cement radiopacifier. As some important physicochemical properties of HCSCs could be influenced by the environmental conditions and the type of radiopacifier, alternatives to blood clot and HCSCs containing substitutes for bismuth oxide might be more suitable in RETs.

Present status and future directions-Vital pulp treatment and pulp preservation strategies.

Therapeutic strategies focussed on the pulp preservation, are important when managing vital teeth with deep caries and an exposed pulp. These vital pulp treatments (VPTs); however, are not new, with indirect and direct pulp capping procedures being described as a therapy for carious teeth for over a century. As a result of unpredictable outcomes, the traditional indications for VPT particularly when the pulp was exposed were limited to the treatment of immature teeth with incomplete root formation. Over the last 20 years, the advent of regenerative endodontics and the promotion of biologically based therapies aimed at reducing intervention have reinvigorated VPT with new waves of basic science and clinical research indicating a role for VPT not only in mature cariously affected teeth, but also in teeth with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis. Driven by new materials such as hydraulic calcium silicate cements, a better understanding of pulpal immunity and biology as well and improved tissue handling, VPT has been at the forefront of treatment recommendations made by global Cariology and Endodontic organizations. Care must be exercised, however, as key gaps in scientific knowledge remain alongside severe limitations in educational dissemination amongst dentists. Although research has highlighted that carious injury to the dentine–pulp complex stimulates a wide range of responses and that the interaction between infection, inflammation and repair will eventually impact on the outcome of pulpitis, our ability to accurately and objectively diagnose the true inflammatory state of the pulp remains poor. An overreliance on symptoms leaves clinicians with subjective, crude diagnostic tools by which to inform treatment planning and decision‐making, which results in large variations in the treatments offered to patients. Not only is there an urgent need to develop preoperative and intraoperative diagnostic tools, but there is also a paucity of the high‐quality comparative evidence required to answer the most important questions and justify treatment options. The aim of this review was to consider the current status of VPT and to discuss the principle problems that are hindering clinical acceptance of these techniques. Potential solutions and opportunities are offered to suggest ways that VPT may become a more consistently prescribed evidenced‐based treatment in dental practice.

Comparative evaluation of the effects of three hydraulic calcium silicate cements on odontoblastic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells: an in vitro study.

The study aimed to compare the response of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) towards three hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) by measuring cytotoxicity and expression of dentinogenic genes. Dental pulps of five impacted mandibular third molars were extirpated as a source for hDPSCs. Next to culturing, hDPSCs were subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting after the third passage to validate stemness of the cells. Human DPSCs were exposed to diluted supernatants of OrthoMTA (OMTA), Biodentine (BD) and Calcium-Enriched Mixture (CEM) at concentrations 10, 25, 50 and 100% at the first, third and fifth day of culture. Then, cells were exposed to 10% concentrations supernatant of HCSCs to determine DSPP and DMP1 gene expression, using a quantitative polymerase-chain reaction. Data were analyzed using one-way and three-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey post hoc statistical tests. Optimal cell proliferation was observed in all groups, regardless of concentration and time-point. HCSC supernatants were non-cytotoxic to hDPSCs at all three time-points, except for 100% Biodentine on day five. On day seven, OMTA group significantly upregulated the expression of DSPP and DMP1 genes. On day 14, expression of DMP1 and DSPP genes were significantly higher in BD and OMTA groups, respectively. Biodentine significantly upregulated DMP1 gene expression over 14 days, whereas CEM was associated with only minimal expression of DSPP and DMP1 .

A prospective clinical study investigating the effectiveness of partial pulpotomy after relating preoperative symptoms to a new and established classification of pulpitis

To prospectively investigate the outcome of partial pulpotomy after 1year, using a hydraulic calcium silicate cement (HCSC) on symptomatic cariously exposed pulps in adult teeth. To compare the traditional American Association of Endodontists (AAE) pulpitis classification with the recently proposed Wolters classification system in predicting the likelihood of treatment failure. Sixty-two symptomatic adult teeth with deep and extremely deep carious lesions were classified according to the Wolters (mild/moderate/severe pulpitis) and the traditional pulpitis classification (reversible/irreversible pulpitis). Eleven teeth were excluded intraoperatively as there was no pulp exposure after non-selective caries removal. The remaining 51 teeth, regardless of diagnosis, were treated by partial pulpotomy, pulpal lavage with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, haemostasis and HCSC application (Biodentine™) as a pulp capping material. A permanent restoration was placed during a second appointment 1-2weeks later. Preoperative tenderness to percussion (TTP), bleeding time and material setting time were recorded as was preoperative and postoperative tooth colour under standardized conditions. Clinical review occurred at regular intervals with clinical/radiographic analysis at 12months. Chi-square analysis and Fisher's exact test assessed different outcomes amongst the diagnostic categories; the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum test assessed influence of pulp bleeding time, TTP or variation in setting time (p<.05). Ten cases were lost to review, and a total of 41 teeth were reviewed at 1year and classified as either "success," "successful but unresponsive to sensibility testing" or "failed." This included five severe, 17moderate and 19mild pulpitis according to Wolters classification or 23 reversible pulpitis and 18 irreversible pulpitis cases by the AAE classification. The majority of the 62 enrolled cases were "extremely deep" (n=50), rather than "deep" (n=12) caries with all failures occurring in the extremely deep group. Partial pulpotomy was 90% successful (100% reversible, 78% irreversible or 100% mild, 88% moderate, 60% severe pulpitis) with a significant difference in outcome between mild and severe pulpitis groups (p=.04). Only one, severe pulpitis/irreversible pulpitis, case failed painfully prior to the 1-year review appointment. Bleeding time (p=.26) and TTP (p=.61) did not influence treatment outcome, whilst Biodentine™ setting time was significantly longer than manufacturers' claim (p<.05). No teeth discoloured. Partial pulpotomy using Biodentine™ was successful for treating symptomatic carious pulpal exposures after 1year, but included cases where pulp vitality could not be confirmed. Within the limitations of this study, cases with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis were not less successful; however, Wolters classification highlighted severe pulpitis to be less successful than mild pulpitis, thereby providing a potential prognostic benefit in diagnostically subdividing pulpitis. Caries depth was an indicator of failure, whilst bleeding time and preoperative tenderness to percussion were not.

Partial Pulpotomy to Successfully Treat a Caries-Induced Pulpal Micro-Abscess: A Case Report

Vital pulp treatment (VPT) is a therapeutic strategy aimed at conservatively managing deep carious lesions and the exposed pulp. VPT has recently expanded through the use of hydraulic-calcium-silicate cement (HCSC), cone-beam CT, and dental operating microscopy (DOM), as well as an improved understanding of pulpal repair mechanisms. Consensus documents have concluded that non-selective removal of caries is not necessary in the absence of clinical symptoms, as partial or non-selective caries removal techniques reduce the likelihood of pulp exposure. Alternatively, others suggest that leaving carious tissue may help sustain pulpal inflammation and lead to failure of VPT. The presence of a purulent discharge from the exposed pulp is considered indicative of an irreversible damage and a need for pulpectomy. This report documents the successful VPT in a symptomatic molar with deep caries that exhibited purulent discharge from the pulp after exposure. A female patient presented with spontaneous pain in the maxillary left second molar. One year before, she had received a cast-metal restoration over a resin-based-composite (RBC) restoration. The tooth had been largely asymptomatic since; however, after experiencing spontaneous pain, she consulted the hospital clinic. Radiographs indicated that the restoration was not deep with visible dentin between the restoration and the pulp. Pulp sensibility tests yielded a positive response. There was no pain on percussion and no periodontal problems. Removal of the restoration and carious dentin using a DOM resulted in a pulpal exposure with purulent discharge and bleeding. A partial pulpotomy using HCSC was performed. Six months later, the clinical symptoms had completely resolved; however, due to concerns of partial necrosis, the patient was re-assessed. DOM examination revealed an incomplete hard-tissue barrier; moreover, there were also signs of residual tissue with inflammation. As a result, the defected area was enlarged, the pulp tissue debrided, and the HCSC reapplied. After review at 1 year, the tooth remains symptomless, with no apical radiolucency. Notably, this report visually illustrates that exposed pulp tissue containing limited region pus can maintain vitality after VPT. This finding raises two questions: (1) whether leaving infected dentin in situ and avoiding visualization of the pulp exposure is appropriate; and (2) whether the presence of purulent tissue in the pulp warrants a pulpectomy.

Vital Pulp Therapy in Permanent Mature Posterior Teeth with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Systematic Review of Treatment Outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in permanent mature teeth is a common indication for nonsurgical root canal treatment (NSRCT), but contemporary studies have reported on vital pulp therapy (VPT) applied in such teeth as a less invasive treatment. This systematic review assessed the outcomes of VPT, including partial and full pulpotomy performed with hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) in permanent mature posterior teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. Materials and Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were followed. The search strategy included PubMed®, EMBASE, Cochrane library and grey literature electronic databases. The quality assessment of the identified studies followed the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias, ROBINS-I and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale tools. Results: The search of primary databases identified 142 articles, of which 9 randomized controlled trials and 3 prospective cohort studies were selected for review. The risk-of-bias was assessed as ‘high’ or ‘serious’, ‘fair’, and ‘low’ for three, seven and two articles, respectively. One to five years after VPT using HCSCs, the success rates mostly ranged from 78 to 90%. Based on two articles, the outcomes of the VPT and NSRCT were comparable at one and five years. Despite the necessity for the intra-operative pulp assessment in VPT procedures, the majority of the studies did not fully report on this step or on the time needed to achieve hemostasis. Small sample sizes, of under 23 teeth, were reported in three studies. Conclusions: The reviewed 12 articles reported favorable outcomes of the VPT performed with HCSCs in permanent mature posterior teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, with radiographic success in the range of 81 to 90%. Two articles suggested comparable outcomes of the VPT and root canal treatment. Universal case selection and outcome criteria needs to be established for VPT when considered as an alternative to NSRCT. This evidence supports the need for further research comparing longer-term outcomes of both of the treatment modalities.

The Effect of Calcium-Silicate Cements on Reparative Dentinogenesis Following Direct Pulp Capping on Animal Models.

Dental pulp vitality is a desideratum for preserving the health and functionality of the tooth. In certain clinical situations that lead to pulp exposure, bioactive agents are used in direct pulp-capping procedures to stimulate the dentin-pulp complex and activate reparative dentinogenesis. Hydraulic calcium-silicate cements, derived from Portland cement, can induce the formation of a new dentin bridge at the interface between the biomaterial and the dental pulp. Odontoblasts are molecularly activated, and, if necessary, undifferentiated stem cells in the dental pulp can differentiate into odontoblasts. An extensive review of literature was conducted on MedLine/PubMed database to evaluate the histological outcomes of direct pulp capping with hydraulic calcium-silicate cements performed on animal models. Overall, irrespective of their physico-chemical properties and the molecular mechanisms involved in pulp healing, the effects of cements on tertiary dentin formation and pulp vitality preservation were positive. Histological examinations showed different degrees of dental pulp inflammatory response and complete/incomplete dentin bridge formation during the pulp healing process at different follow-up periods. Calcium silicate materials have the ability to induce reparative dentinogenesis when applied over exposed pulps, with different behaviors, as related to the animal model used, pulpal inflammatory responses, and quality of dentin bridges.

A matched irrigation and obturation strategy for root canal therapy

In root canal therapy, irrigating solutions are employed to eliminate the bacterial load and also prepare dentin for sealer interaction. The aim of this research was to assess how irrigating solutions employed on their own or in sequence affected the tooth structure. The best way to prepare the tooth for obturation using hydraulic calcium silicate cement (HCSC) sealers and gutta-percha, thus guiding clinicians on a matched irrigation-obturation strategy for optimized root canal treatment was investigated. The effect of irrigating solutions on dentine was investigated by assessing changes in dentin microhardness, ultrastructure and mineral content, organic/inorganic matter, surface roughness and Young’s modulus. The interaction of four root canal sealers with the dentin was analysed by assessing the changes in microhardness of the dentin after sealer placement and also the sealer to dentin interface by scanning electron and confocal laser microscopy. The irrigating solutions damaged the dentin irreversibly both when used on their own and in combination. The best sequence involved sodium hypochlorite followed by chelator and a final rinse with sodium hypochlorite and obturation using HCSC sealers that enabled the restoration of dentin properties. The HCSC sealers did not rely on chelator irrigating solutions for a good material adaptation to dentin.

Physicochemical, antimicrobial, and biological properties of White-MTAFlow.

To evaluate a new material containing tantalum oxide as an alternative radiopacifier, and a water-based gel for hydration, in comparison with two calcium silicate-based cement: ProRoot MTA and Biodentine. ProRoot MTA (Dentsply), Biodentine (Septodont), and a new hydraulic calcium silicate cement White-MTAFlow (Ultradent) (in 'thin' consistency) were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The interaction with dentin was also assessed using SEM and EDS. Physical and chemical properties radiopacity, setting time, linear flow, volumetric central filling, and lateral flow, pH, and volume change were investigated together with the color luminosity (L) and color change (ΔE). The agar diffusion and direct contact antimicrobial activity, and methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity using human fibroblast cells were also evaluated. Data were statistically analyzed at a 5% significance level. All materials were composed of tricalcium and dicalcium silicate but had different radiopacifiers, and calcium hydroxide (portlandite) deposition was detected in XRD analysis. White-MTAFlow exhibited radiopacity values in accordance with ISO standard, and the longest setting time. The water-based gel provided the highest linear flow, a comparable cavity central filling, and the highest groove-lateral flow in the volumetric flow analysis. White-MTAFlow exhibited an alkalinity reduction, and Biodentine, a progressive increase of pH values after 28 days. However, similar volume loss for White-MTAFlow was assessed in comparison to Biodentine after the 28-day immersion. White-MTAFlow showed the highest L value (91.5), and ProRoot MTA the lowest (78.1) due to dentin staining caused by bismuth migration. None of the materials exhibited inhibition halos against the tested bacteria, and similar turbidity values were obtained after 48 h in direct contact with E. faecalis, indicating an upregulation to bacterial growth. White-MTAFlow showed MTT cytocompatibility similarly to the control group. White-MTAFlow in 'thin' consistency presents comparable physicochemical, biological, and antimicrobial properties to ProRoot MTA and Biodentine, and does not cause color alteration in dentin. White-MTAFlow is a suitable material for use as reparative endodontic cement. Further studies considering its biocompatibility are necessary.

Cytotoxicity and Bioactivity of Dental Pulp-Capping Agents towards Human Tooth-Pulp Cells: A Systematic Review of In-Vitro Studies and Meta-Analysis of Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trials.

Background. In the era of biology-driven endodontics, vital pulp therapies are regaining popularity as a valid clinical option to postpone root-canal treatment. In this sense, many different materials are available in the market for pulp-capping purposes. Objectives. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine literature regarding cytotoxicity and bioactivity of pulp-capping agents by exposure of human dental pulp cells of primary origin to these materials. A secondary objective was to evaluate the inflammatory reaction and reparative dentin-bridge formation induced by the different pulp-capping agents on human pulp tissue. Data sources. A literature search strategy was carried out on PubMed, EMBASE and the Web of Science databases. The last search was done on 1 May 2020. No filters or language restrictions were initially applied. Two researchers independently selected the studies and extracted the data. Study selection included eligibility criteria, participants and interventions, study appraisal and synthesis methods. In vitro studies were included when human dental pulp cells of primary origin were (in) directly exposed to pulp-capping agents. Parallel or split-mouth randomized or controlled clinical trials (RCT or CCT) were selected to investigate the effects of different pulp-capping agents on the inflammation and reparative bridge-formation capacity of human pulp tissue. Data were synthesized via odds ratios (95% confidence interval) with fixed or random effects models, depending on the homogeneity of the studies. The relative risks (95% confidence interval) were presented for the sake of interpretation. Results. In total, 26 in vitro and 30 in vivo studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The qualitative analysis of in vitro data suggested that resin-free hydraulic calcium-silicate cements promote cell viability and bioactivity towards human dental pulp cells better than resin-based calcium-silicate cements, glass ionomers and calcium-hydroxide cements. The meta-analysis of the in vivo studies indicated that calcium-hydroxide powder/saline promotes reparative bridge formation better than the popular commercial resin-free calcium-silicate cement Pro-Root MTA (Dentsply-Sirona), although the difference was borderline non-significant (p = 0.06), and better than calcium-hydroxide cements (p < 0.0001). Moreover, resin-free pulp-capping agents fostered the formation of a complete reparative bridge better than resin-based materials (p < 0.001). On the other hand, no difference was found among the different materials tested regarding the inflammatory effect provoked at human pulp tissue. Conclusions. Calcium-hydroxide (CH) powder and Pro-Root MTA (Dentsply-Sirona) have shown excellent biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo when tested on human cells and teeth. Their use after many years of research and clinical experience seems safe and proven for vital pulp therapy in healthy individuals, given that an aseptic environment (rubber dam isolation) is provided. Although in vitro evidence suggests that most modern hydraulic calcium-silicate cements promote bioactivity when exposed to human dental pulp cells, care should be taken when these new materials are clinically applied in patients, as small changes in their composition might have big consequences on their clinical efficacy. Key findings (clinical significance). Pure calcium-hydroxide powder/saline and the commercial resin-free hydraulic calcium-silicate cement Pro-Root MTA (Dentsply-Sirona) are the best options to provide a complete reparative bridge upon vital pulp therapy. Systematic review registration number. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020164374.

Performance of a Biodegradable Composite with Hydroxyapatite as a Scaffold in Pulp Tissue Repair.

Vital pulp therapy is an important endodontic treatment. Strategies using growth factors and biological molecules are effective in developing pulp capping materials based on wound healing by the dentin-pulp complex. Our group developed biodegradable viscoelastic polymer materials for tissue-engineered medical devices. The polymer contents help overcome the poor fracture toughness of hydroxyapatite (HAp)-facilitated osteogenic differentiation of pulp cells. However, the composition of this novel polymer remained unclear. This study evaluated a novel polymer composite, P(CL-co-DLLA) and HAp, as a direct pulp capping carrier for biological molecules. The biocompatibility of the novel polymer composite was evaluated by determining the cytotoxicity and proliferation of human dental stem cells in vitro. The novel polymer composite with BMP-2, which reportedly induced tertiary dentin, was tested as a direct pulp capping material in a rat model. Cytotoxicity and proliferation assays revealed that the biocompatibility of the novel polymer composite was similar to that of the control. The novel polymer composite with BMP-2-induced tertiary dentin, similar to hydraulic calcium-silicate cement, in the direct pulp capping model. The BMP-2 composite upregulated wound healing-related gene expression compared to the novel polymer composite alone. Therefore, we suggest that novel polymer composites could be effective carriers for pulp capping.

Wound Lavage in Studies on Vital Pulp Therapy of Permanent Teeth with Carious Exposures: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

The aim of this study was to systematically review pulp wound lavage in vital pulp therapy (VPT). A search was conducted in six life science databases to identify clinical trials carried out on permanent teeth with a carious pulp exposure and a recall interval of at least six months. Twenty-seven trials of low to moderate risk of bias (RoB-2 and ROBINS-I) were included. Data was extracted and analyzed regarding study characteristics and methods used for pulp wound lavage. The agent used for pulp wound lavage was specified in all included trials. Most of the identified trials (23/27) randomized the pulp capping material. Many (14/27) reported the use of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); ten used only saline or water. One trial was identified that compared pulp wound lavage with 2.5% (NaOCl) to saline, another compared 5% glutaraldehyde to water, both in immature molar pulpotomies. Both studies were underpowered. Neither showed a significant difference between treatments. The use of NaOCl was positively correlated to recent year of publication and use of hydraulic calcium silicate cements for pulp capping (p < 0.05). In conclusion, despite a lack of well-designed trials on pulp wound lavage in VPT, a trend towards using NaOCl for this purpose was observed.

An In-vitro Study to Determine the Sealing Ability of Biodentine when used as a Class II Restorative Material

Introduction: Microleakage is a major setback to restorative dentistry. Leakage at the tooth/restoration interface may lead to numerous problems like postoperative sensitivity, recurrent caries, marginal sealing and later total failure of restoration. Aim: To determine the sealing ability (microleakage) of a new hydraulic calcium silicate cement (Biodentine) as a base material and a bulk filling material. Materials and Methods: An in-vitro study was conducted with ten freshly extracted maxillary molars from March 2019 to June 2019. Standardised Class II cavities were prepared on mesial and distal proximal surfaces. The twenty prepared samples were randomly divided into two groups (n=10)- G1 (BiodentineTM group) and G2 (BiodentineTM + Tetric N-Ceram group). The samples were subjected to thermocycling, followed by 1% methylene blue dye immersion. They were subsequently sectioned both buccolingually and mesiodistally in order to separate to proximal restorations (mesial and distal) and appreciate the amount of dye penetration at tooth/restoration interface respectively. Microleakage was evaluated by observing the samples under a stereomicroscope (30x). The data obtained was analysed using one-way ANOVA test and compared using Post-hoc test. p-value &lt;0.05 to be considered significant. Results: Biodentine showed no significant difference between the sealing ability as a bulk filling and a base material. Group G2 (0.35) indicated comparatively less microleakage as compared to Group G1 (0.6) but the difference in microleakages in both groups was insignificant (p-value 0.083467). Conclusion: BiodentineTM exhibits microleakage when used as a bulk filling material and as a dentin substitute in Class II cavities since there is no significant difference in both the groups.