Effects of silicate-based composite material on the proliferation and mineralization behaviors of human dental pulp cells: An <i>in vitro</i> assessment

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a silicate-based composite material on proliferation and mineralization of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs), which was compared with those of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂, CH) and tricalcium silicate (Ca₃SiO₅, C3S). HDPCs were cultured with CH, C3S and tricalcium silicate/dicalcium silicate (Ca₃SiO₅/Ca₂SiO₄, C3S/C2S) composites extract. The CCK-8 assay showed that the composite material stimulated the proliferation of hDPCs. The odontogenic marker genes and DSPP protein expression were more significantly up-regulated by the C3S/C2S composite material compared with pure CH and C3S. HDPCs cultured with composite material extract exert stronger ALP activity and alizarin red S staining. C3S/C2S composite material was advantageous over pure C3S by showing enhanced ability to stimulate the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of hDPCs, suggesting that the C3S/C2S composite materials possess desirable biocompatibility and bioactivity, and might be a new type of pulp-capping agent and dentin alternative materials.