Comparison of the Cytotoxicity of a Novel Obturating Material with Metapex for Pulpectomy in Primary Teeth Using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide Assay: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: Pulpectomy is a critical procedure for managing pulpally infected primary teeth. The choice of obturating material is important for the treatment's success. Metapex, a commonly used material, has several disadvantages such as rapid resorption and resistance issues against certain microorganisms. To overcome these disadvantages, a novel obturating material combining zinc oxide, calcium hydroxide, and metronidazole was developed. The aim of the study is to compare cytotoxic effects of the novel obturating material with Metapex using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Materials and methods: An in vitro study was conducted using 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. The cells were treated with different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 µg/mL) of the novel obturating material and Metapex. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, where formazan crystals were dissolved in DMSO and absorbance was measured at 570 nm. Independent t-tests were used to compare cell viability between the groups, while repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post hoc tests analyzed intragroup differences.

Results: Both materials demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity at lower concentrations (2.5-10 µg/mL) and progressively higher cytotoxicity at increased concentrations (20-60 µg/mL). In the novel material group, significant differences were observed between 2.5 and 5 µg/mL (p = 0.015). However, independent t-tests revealed no significant differences between the two materials across various concentrations (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The novel obturating material showed acceptable cytotoxicity at lower concentrations but exhibited higher cytotoxicity at increased levels. Further research is needed to optimize its composition for safe clinical use, particularly in pediatric patients.

How to cite this article: Rajadurai MBR, Govindaraju L. Comparison of the Cytotoxicity of a Novel Obturating Material with Metapex for Pulpectomy in Primary Teeth Using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium Bromide Assay: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2025;18(8):917-921.