BACKGROUND

Tissue engineering has become increasingly applied for tissue repair purposes. Scaffolds, one of the main components of tissue engineering, provide a supportive framework for cell culture and growth. The objective of the present study was to investigate the odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, cultured on a polycaprolactone (PCL)-based nanofibrous scaffold, coated with Biodentine. This study evaluated the use of Biodentine as a coating on nanofiber scaffolds and investigated the biological effects of this material on the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells, which hold promising applications in dental and bone tissue engineering.

METHODS

This study is a basic research investigation. Initially, PCL nanofibrous scaffolds were produced through electrospinning, followed by a post-fabrication surface modification step. The morphology and properties of the scaffolds were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In the surface treatment step, two different concentrations of Biodentine (0.05% and 0.01%) were applied on the mats. The biocompatibility of the scaffolds was assessed using an MTT assay on days 1, 3, and 5. Additionally, the odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation potency of fabricated scaffolds was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and deposited calcium of the cells on days 7, 14, and 21.

RESULTS

SEM analysis revealed that Biodentine coating increased surface roughness, particularly at the 0.05% concentration, where excessive particle aggregation was observed. In contrast, the control PCL scaffold exhibited a well-organized fibrous structure with a smooth surface, whereas the 0.01% Biodentine-coated scaffold displayed a moderately roughened surface with uniformly distributed mineralized deposits. Cell viability was higher in the 0.01% Biodentine group, while the 0.05% concentration showed reduced proliferation. ALP activity peaked on day 14, and the highest level of calcium deposition was observed in the 0.01% Biodentine group on day 21, indicating enhanced biomineralization.

CONCLUSION

Biodentine/PCL scaffolds demonstrated notable and suitable physical and chemical properties. Furthermore, they enhanced odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation and mineralization compared to the control group. These findings support the potential of fabricated scaffolds for odontogenic/osteogenic differentiation applications.