INTRODUCTION

Biocompatibility of pulp capping materials is important for successful use in dentistry. These materials should be nontoxic and permissive for proliferation and induction of odontogenic differentiation of pulp cells. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of enamel matrix derivative (EMD), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and calcium hydroxide-containing cement (DYCAL) on proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of human tooth germ stem cells (hTGSCs) in which cells belonging to both pulp tissue and dental follicle exist.

METHODS

The 96-well plates, 24-well plates, and special chamber slides were coated with biomaterials for cell proliferation, differentiation, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Odontogenic differentiation of hTGSCs was evaluated by analyzing mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) by real-time polymerase chain reaction expression analysis, measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity, and visualization of calcium depositions by von Kossa staining.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that EMD is the best material in terms of inducing differentiation and proliferation of hTGSCs. DYCAL was found to be toxic to hTGSCs; however, EMD-coated DYCAL showed less toxicity. EMD-coated MTA was not efficient at inducing proliferation and differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulp capping materials come in direct contact with dental pulp cells; thus, they require comprehensive evaluation of interactions between cells and biomaterials. Therefore, we cultured hTGSCs, capable of odontogenic differentiation, on pulp capping materials directly. Our results suggest that combination of capping materials with EMD would increase the quality of capping by increasing biocompatibility of capping materials.