title: Physical properties and biological/odontogenic effects of an experimentally developed fast-setting α-tricalcium phosphate-based pulp capping material.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, fast-setting α-tricalcium-phosphate (TCP) cement was developed for use in the pulp capping process. The aim of this study was to investigate the physical properties and biological effects of α-TCP cement in comparison with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured the setting time, pH values, compressive strength, and solubility of the two materials. We evaluated biocompatibility on the basis of cell morphology and a viability test using human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). Chemical composition of each material was analyzed by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopic (EDS) analysis. The expression of odontogenic-related genes was evaluated by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. The calcified nodule formation was measured by Alizarin red staining. We performed the pulp capping procedure on rat teeth for histological investigation. The data were analyzed by an independent t-test for physical properties, one-way ANOVA for biological effects, and the Mann-Whitney U test for tertiary dentin formation. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The setting time, pH values, and compressive strength of α-TCP was lower than that of MTA (P < 0.05); however, the solubility of α-TCP was higher than that of MTA (P < 0.05). The resultant cell viability observed with the two materials was similar (P > 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that cells attached to both materials were flat and had cytoplasmic extensions. The expression of odontogenic-related markers and mineralized nodule formation were higher in the two experimental groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Continuous tertiary dentin was formed underneath the capping materials in all samples of the tested groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrated that the α-TCP exhibited biocompatibility and odontogenicity comparable to MTA, whereas it had a quicker setting time.
authors.forename: Jun-Bong
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Su-Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyun-Ha
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young-Sun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Kwang-Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, School of Dentistry and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-daero, Jeonju, Korea. endomin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kyung-San
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Min
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D003809:Dentin, Secondary / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D009804:Odontoblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057872:Pulp Capping and Pulpectomy Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012995:Solubility; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; D057872:Pulp Capping and Pulpectomy Agents; D017640:Silicates; C485828:alpha-tricalcium phosphate; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate