Osteogenic Potential of Demineralized Dentin Matrix as Bone Graft Material

The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteogenic potential of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) in supporting the osteogenic activity of MG-63 cells and compare it to a mixture of inorganic bovine bone and collagen (Bio-Oss Collagen (R)). Cell morphology, differentiation, adhesion, and growth were investigated via scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence analyses of F-actin, osteocalcin, and osteonectin. Cell adhesion and growth on the DDM as a bone graft material were more abundant, with cells adopting a flat shape and uniform distribution, than on the Bio-Oss Collagen (R) at all the observation time points (i.e., 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h and 14 days). Cell attachment and cytoskeleton organization assessed using confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the DDM provided better attachment with cytoplasmic propagation than the control. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the fluorescent intensities of osteocalcin and osteonectin as biomarkers of cellular differentiation were higher on the DDM than on Bio-Oss Collagen (R) at 6, 12 and 24 h. We showed that the DDM had an enhanced osteogenic potential as a bone substitute for bone augmentation procedures in the dental and medical fields.