Assessment of the biointeractivity of a novel vital pulp therapy agent derived from eggshell biowaste: An in vitro study

This study aimed to assess the calcium (Ca²⁺) and hydroxyl (OH⁻) ion-releasing ability, namely the biointeractivity of eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (ESDHA) in comparison with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide (CH). ESDHA, MTA and CH samples (n = 10; 8 × 1.6 mm) were immersed in 10 mL of deionised water (37°C, pH 6.8). Ca²⁺ and OH⁻ ion releases were detected in 1, 7 and 21 days. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were also conducted. IBM SPSS 20.0 was used for statistical analyses. The cumulative Ca²⁺ ions (56.22 ± 11.28 ppm) were detected as most significant in ESDHA (day 21; p < 0.05). The OH⁻ ion values of the ESDHA group were statistically higher than MTA and CH (days 1 and 7; p < 0.05). ESDHA and CH showed a similar pattern with sharp peaks in Ca²⁺, oxygen and carbon elements. ESDHA being a sustainable material with a high ion-releasing ability may be a preferable alternative to the commercial vital pulp therapy agents.