Biocompatibility and mineralization potential of ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate and biodentine on mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility and mineralization potential of two dental cements [Biodentine (BD) and ProRoot MTA (PMTA)] using cultured mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods: Cell viability was evaluated with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay after 1, 7, and 14 days of MSC culture. The MSC attachment to the materials was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To assess mineralization, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and the hydroxyapatite deposition in the differentiated cultures on days 7 and 14 were measured using the ALP activity kit and the OsteoImage assays. Results: There was no difference between the proliferation rates of the cells cultured on the BD and the PMTA surfaces on days 1, 7, and 14. The SEM analysis revealed cell adhesion after 24 h. The cells began to mature on day 7 and increased in confluence by day 14. On day 7, the ALP activity was higher in the BD group than in the PMTA group. However, on day 14, the ALP activity was lower in cells cultured on the BD surface. Between the BD and PMTA groups, there was no significant difference in the mineralization on day 7. However, on day 14, the BD group showed increased mineralization. Conclusion: Based on the observations, we conclude that BD and PMTA have comparable biocompatibility when in direct contact with MSCs. However, BD has a higher capacity to induce MSC mineralization.