Biodentine Induces Immortalized Murine Pulp Cell Differentiation into Odontoblast-like Cells and Stimulates Biomineralization

Introduction: Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fausses, France); a new tricalcium silicate-based cement, has recently been commercialized and advertised as a bioactive material. Its clinical application and physical properties have been widely described, but, so far, its bioactivity and biological effect on pulp cells have not been clearly shown. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effect of Biodentine on immortalized murine pulp cells (OD-21). Methods: OD-21 cells were cultured with or without Biodentine. Cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) colorimetric assay after 2, 3, and 5 days of stimulation. The expression of several biomolecular markers was analyzed to screen differentiation pathways, both on a gene level with Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and on a protein level by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity. Alizarin red staining was used to assess and quantify biomineralization. Results: The expression patterns of several genes confirmed the differentiation of OD-21 cells into odontoblasts during the period of cell culture. Our results suggest that Biodentine is bioactive because it increased OD-21 cell proliferation and biomineralization in comparison with controls. Conclusions: Because of its bioactivity, Biodentine can be considered as a suitable material for clinical indications of dentin-pulp complex regeneration, such as direct pulp capping. (J Endod 2012;38:1220-1226)