Sol-gel-derived calcium silicate cement incorporating collagen and mesoporous bioglass nanoparticles for dental pulp therapy

Objective

Calcium silicate cements (CSCs) are often used in endodontics despite some limitations related to their physical properties and antibacterial efficacy. This study aimed to develop and demonstrate the viability of a series of CSCs that were produced by sol-gel method and further modified with mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) and collagen, for endodontic therapy.

Methods

Calcium silicate (CS) particles and MBGNs were synthesized by the sol-gel method, and their elemental, molecular, and physical microstructure was characterized. Three CSCs were developed by mixing the CS with distilled water (CS+H₂O), 10 mg/mL collagen solution (CS+colH₂O), and MBGNs (10 %) (CSmbgn+colH₂O). The mixing (MT) and setting (ST) times of the CSCs were determined, while the setting reaction was monitored in real-time. Antibacterial efficacy against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and regenerative potential on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) were also analyzed.

Results

The CS+H₂O displayed a ST comparable to commercial products, while CSmbgn+colH₂O achieved the longest MT of 68 s and the shortest ST of 8 min. All the experimental CSCs inhibited the growth of E. faecalis. Additionally, compared to the control group, CSCs supported cell proliferation and spreading and mineralized matrix production, regardless of their composition.

Significance

Tested CSCs presented potential as candidates for pulp therapy procedures. Future research should investigate the pulp regeneration mechanisms alongside rigorous antibacterial evaluations, preferably with multi-organism biofilms, executed over extended periods.