Non-set Calciumsilicate Cements Favors Migration of Human Dental Pulp Cells

Objectives: To evaluate the bioactive effect of freshly mixed and setting hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs) on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) by means of an “in vitro” cell-migration assay.
Methods: Freshly mixed and setting cements were evaluated with a horizontal migration assay (wound healing assay). To collect the eluates, disks occupying the whole surface of a 12-well plate were made using the HCSCs Pro-Root MTA or Biodentine. Immediately after preparing the disks (non-set) or after 24h at 37°C, 95% humidity and 5% CO₂ (set materials), 3ml of DMEM (without FBS) supplemented with 1% antibiotic/antimicotic solution were added. The medium was left in contact with the disks for 24h before collecting. To carry out the migration assay, cells from passage 3 to 6 obtained from at least three different patients were used. 1.2x10⁵ cells were seeded in a 12-well plate. After 24h, the medium was changed to FBS-free medium. After another 24h, we exposed the cells to four different eluates‘ dilutions (100%, 50%, 25%, 10%). A photo-micrograph was taken at 0h and after 24h in the same location with a light microscope (Primovert, Zeiss). Three random photo-micrographs per well were taken and the migration cells were counted by two researchers. The average cell-migration number was calculated. The experiment was repeated three times with cells from different patients.
Results: For the 100% concentration, set Pro-Root MTA performed better than non-set MTA. For the other concentrations (50%, 25%, 10%), no difference in cell migration was recorded between set and non-set Pro-Root MTA. For all concentrations, set and non-set Biodentine showed a lower migration ability than Pro-Root MTA.
Conclusions: Non-set Pro-Root MTA favors migration of human dental pulp cells better than non-set Biodentine.