Multifunctional Ca-Si-Based Micro-Nano Spheres for Pulp Capping Application

Objectives: Dental caries is a common clinical disease that can cause pulpitis and pulp necrosis. Biomaterials are often used to maintain pulp vitality and restore dentin; however, the high alkalinity of calcium hydroxide can lead to tissue necrosis, tooth discoloration and the release of hazardous ions form mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), may disadvantage to its clinical application.
Methods: Herein, micro-nano bioactive glass (MNBG) spheres with cytocompatibility and odontogenesis-promoting properties were developed. MNBG with rough surface structure (MNBGr) was used for pulp regeneration research from three aspects: anti-infection, inhibition of inflammation, and promotion of tissue regeneration.
Results: In this study, the MNBGr showed an excellent antibacterial effect after co-culture with Porphyromonas gingivalis. In vitro anti-inflammatory test, the MNBGr could significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory M1 markers in macrophages after lipopolysaccharide polarization. Meanwhile, the MNBGr could significantly promoted the dentinogenesis potential of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). In acute pulp capping experiments on rats, the MNBGr also exhibited excellent dentin regeneration performance. This work may provide a new strategy to promote dentinogenic differentiation by modulating early inflammation.
Conclusions: A novel micro-nano bioactive material was successfully prepared, which exhibits good dentin regeneration-promoting properties and is a potential pulp capping agent.