Effect of Different Pulp Capping Materials on Proliferation and Odontogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Aim: To examine the effects of Biodentine, TheraCal LC, nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA), and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells (hDP-MSCs). Materials and Method: Twelve-well plates containing hDP-MSCs were prepared and coated with each test material, and other 12 wells served as control. Cell viability was assessed. Odontogenic differentiation of hDP-MSCs was evaluated by analyzing mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and collagen type I gene expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and calcium deposits on von Kossa staining. Results: Biodentine showed significantly higher cell viability (41.33%) than the control (35.00%), NHA (29.50%), MTA (29.00%), or TheraCal LC (20.83%) groups. There were significant differences in percentage expression of genes encoding DSPP and collagen type I (P<0.001); the mean rank of hDP-MSCDSPP and collagen type I gene expression was significantly higher in the Biodentine group. There were significant differences in ALP activity between the groups treated with Biodentine (43.58%), NHA (37.33%), MTA (32.25%), and TheraCal LC (25.83%). Biodentine showed the greatest amount of calcified mineralization and TheraCal LC showed the least. Conclusions: Biodentine had better effects on the proliferation and odontogenic differentiation of hDP-MSCs than TheraCal LC, NHA, or MTA.