Surface Modification of Dentin Powder With Alginate and Evaluation of Its Effects on the Viability and Proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (In Vitro), Its Biocompatibility (In Vivo).

Introduction: This study aimed to synthesize dentin powder surface modified with alginate, a potential substance for dental pulp regeneration, and evaluate its effects on the viability and proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells in vitro and its biocompatibility in vivo.

Methods: In the in vitro phase, dentin powder was synthesized in 3 size groups (150-250 μm, 250-500 μm, and 500-1000 μm) after demineralization and atelopeptidization which is used to remove dentin collagen telopeptides and eliminate host immune response. Surface modification with alginate was performed and followed by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and cell viability and proliferation testing for 14 days with human dental pulp stem cells studied. In the in vivo phase, dentin powders were implanted in rat calvarial defects for 8 weeks, and histologic analysis was conducted. All nonparametric data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test, and all the quantitative data were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance using SPSS, and P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Demineralization and atelopeptidization were successful in all groups. Cell viability was optimal and equal (P > .05) in all groups. The 500- to 1000-μm group exhibited significantly higher cell proliferation (P < .05). Histologic assessment shows acceptable biocompatibility in all groups; the angiogenesis score was significantly greater in both 250-500 and 500-1000, and minimal inflammatory response was noted in the 500- to 1000-μm group, and the amount of newly formed bone in this group was higher than other groups.

Conclusions: Surface modification of demineralized and atelopeptidized dentin powder with alginate enhanced surface physical properties and cell proliferation while showing great biocompatibility within tissue and reducing the host immune response. These findings hold promise for dentin-pulp complex regeneration.