In vitro cytocompatibility and osteogenic potential of calcium silicate-based dental cements in a root canal-filling model

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the in vitro cytocompatibility and osteogenic potential of an experimental calcium silicate-based cement and the inflammatory response in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). METHODS: Cellular responses, osteogenic-related gene expression, and the production of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were studied in hPDLSCs exposed to the experimental root canal-filling material C-Root, the commercial tricalcium silicate-based material BioRoot RCS, and the epoxy resin-based material AH Plus. Differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparison. RESULTS: Exposure to BioRoot and C-Root caused time-dependent increases in cell proliferation. Significantly more mineralized nodules were formed in cells exposed to AH Plus and BioRoot compared with the negative control. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was significantly lower in AH Plus cells compared with negative control, BioRoot, and C-Root cells. ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), and runt-related transcription factor2 (RUNX2) mRNA expression levels were all significantly higher in C-Root compared with AH Plus cells at day 7. IL-6 and IL-8 levels differed significantly among the experimental groups, with the highest IL-8 levels in BioRoot cells at days 7 and 14. CONCLUSION: The experimental root canal-filling material C-Root has similar in vitro cytocompatibility to BioRoot and better osteogenic potential than AH Plus.