Non-Collagenous Dentin Protein Binding Sites Control Mineral Formation during the Biomineralisation Process in Radicular Dentin

Application of a calcium and phosphorus biomineralization strategy in tooth repair: a systematic review

Biomineralization is a natural process in which organisms regulate the growth of inorganic minerals to form biominerals with unique layered structures, such as bones and teeth, primarily composed of calcium and phosphorus. Tooth decay significantly impacts our daily lives, and the key to tooth regeneration lies in restoring teeth through biomimetic approaches, utilizing mineralization strategies or materials that mimic natural processes. This review delves into the types, properties, and transformations of calcium and phosphorus minerals, followed by an exploration of the mechanisms behind physiological and pathological mineralization in living organisms. It summarizes the mechanisms and commonalities of biomineralization and discusses the advancements in dental biomineralization research, guided by insights into calcium and phosphorus mineral biomineralization. This review concludes by addressing the current challenges and future directions in the field of dental biomimetic mineralization.

Amino-Functionalized Zirconium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks as Bifunctional Nanomaterials to Treat Bone Tumors and Promote Osteogenesis

Bone tumor patients often encounter challenges associated with cancer cell residues and bone defects postoperation. To address this, there is an urgent need to develop a material that can enable tumor treatment and promote bone repair. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted the interest of many researchers due to their special porous structure, which has great potential in regenerative medicine and drug delivery. However, few studies explore MOFs with dual antitumor and bone regeneration properties. In this study, we investigated amino-functionalized zirconium-based MOF nanoparticles (UiO-66-NH2 NPs) as bifunctional nanomaterials for bone tumor treatment and osteogenesis promotion. UiO-66-NH2 NPs loading with doxorubicin (DOX) (DOX@UiO-66-NH2 NPs) showed good antitumor efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, DOX@UiO-66-NH2 NPs significantly reduced lung injury compared to free DOX in vivo. Interestingly, the internalized UiO-66-NH2 NPs notably promoted the osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts. RNA-sequencing data revealed that PI3K-Akt signaling pathways or MAPK signaling pathways might be involved in this enhanced osteogenesis. Overall, UiO-66-NH2 NPs exhibit dual functionality in tumor treatment and bone repair, making them highly promising as a bifunctional material with broad application prospects.

Final irrigation protocols affect radicular dentin DMP1-CT expression, microhardness, and biochemical composition

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of several final irrigation protocols on radicular dentin microhardness, biochemical composition, and DMP1-CT expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 140 single-rooted human teeth were prepared with WaveOne Gold files and randomly distributed into 7 groups (n = 20) according to the final irrigation protocol: distilled water (DW); sodium hypochlorite-EDTA (NaOCl-EDTA); EDTA (EDTA); EDTA-NaOCl (EDTA-NaOCl); EDTA-chlorhexidine (EDTA-CHX); passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI:NaOCl-EDTA); and PUI:NaOCl-EDTA-NaOCl. Dentin microhardness (n = 10) was evaluated in the root canal lumen using Vickers hardness tester. Immunohistochemical analysis (n = 5) was used to evaluate DMP1-CT expression. Dentin ultrastructure and biochemical composition were evaluated by using Raman and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) (n = 5) with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test were performed (p˂0.05).

RESULTS

Raman spectra of the organic content and DMP1-CT expression were lower at the lumen canal in EDTA-NaOCl, PUI:NaOCl-EDTA, and PUI:NaOCl-EDTA-NaOCl when compared to control (p < 0.05). EDAX showed reduced values for calcium and phosphorus in EDTA-NaOCl, PUI:NaOCl-EDTA, and PUI:NaOCl-EDTA-NaOCl. SEM microphotography's showed completely cleaned dentin, permeable tubules, and dentin erosion, mainly when PUI was used. NaOCl-EDTA presented significantly higher microhardness values than PUI:NaOCl-EDTA-NaOCl (p < 0.05). PUI:NaOCl-EDTA-NaOCl exhibited the lowest Vickers hardness values of all groups.

CONCLUSION

The final irrigation protocols that used a final rinse with NaOCl and PUI showed a detrimental effect on radicular dentin DMP1-CT expression, biochemical composition, and microhardness.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The adequate irrigation protocol could be advantageous to preserve the radicular dentin ultrastructure, promote adequate adhesion, and sustain favorable conditions for biomineralization and regeneration.

Collagen Suprafibrillar Confinement Drives the Activity of Acidic Calcium-Binding Polymers on Apatite Mineralization

Bone collagenous extracellular matrix provides a confined environment into which apatite crystals form. This biomineralization process is related to a cascade of events partly controlled by noncollagenous proteins. Although overlooked in bone models, concentration and physical environment influence their activities. Here, we show that collagen suprafibrillar confinement in bone comprising intra- and interfibrillar spaces drives the activity of biomimetic acidic calcium-binding polymers on apatite mineralization. The difference in mineralization between an entrapping dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1) recombinant peptide (rpDMP1) and the synthetic polyaspartate validates the specificity of the 57-KD fragment of DMP1 in the regulation of mineralization, but strikingly without phosphorylation. We show that all the identified functions of rpDMP1 are dedicated to preclude pathological mineralization. Interestingly, transient apatite phases are only found using a high nonphysiological concentration of additives. The possibility to combine biomimetic concentration of both collagen and additives ensures specific chemical interactions and offers perspectives for understanding the role of bone components in mineralization.

Push-Out Bond Strength, Characterization, and Ion Release of Premixed and Powder-Liquid Bioceramic Sealers with or without Gutta-Percha

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the push-out bond strength of premixed and powder-liquid bioceramic sealers with or without gutta-percha (GP) cone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Radicular dentin samples were prepared from 80 single-rooted human teeth. After root canal preparation using ProTaper® and irrigation with NaOCl and EDTA, teeth were divided according to the root canal sealer (n = 20): AH Plus®, EndoSequence® BC Sealer™, ProRoot® Endo Sealer, and BioRoot™ RCS. Samples were randomly divided into two subgroups (n = 10): GP-S: root canal filling using the single-cone technique, or S: filling with only sealer. Specimens were kept at 37°C and 100% humidity in calcium-free PBS for 30 days. The push-out bond strength was measured in MPa. Fractured specimens were observed at 25x to evaluate the type of failure. pH and calcium ion release were measured at different experimental periods. Raman and SEM-EDAX analyses were performed for root canal sealers. Data were analysed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey test at a significance of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Push-out bond strength was greater for samples obturated with only sealers (S) than samples obturated with the single-cone technique (GP-S) (P < 0.05). BioRoot™ RCS had greater bond strength than EndoSequence® BC Sealer™. Adhesive failures between cement and gutta-percha cone (87.5%) were predominant in the GP-S. Cohesive failures were predominant for S (80%). BioRoot™ RCS and ProRoot® ES presented higher alkalinization potential than the premixed sealer (EndoSequence® BC Sealer™). Powder-liquid bioceramic sealers (BioRoot™ RCS and ProRoot® ES) released the highest cumulative amount of calcium (28.46 mg/L and 20.05 mg/L).

CONCLUSION

Push-out test without gutta-percha cone presents higher bond strength for bioceramic sealers. Powder-liquid calcium silicate-based sealers present greater bioactivity related to alkalinization potential and calcium ion release.

Impact of biomineralization on resin/biomineralized dentin bond longevity in a minimally invasive approach: An "in vitro" 18-month follow-up

OBJECTIVES

To determine the impact of treating caries-affected dentin (CAD) with: 0.2% sodium fluoride (NaF), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP/MI Paste™) or peptide P₁₁-4 (Curodont™ Repair) on the longevity of resin/CAD interface at storage times of 24 -h, 6- and 18-month.

METHODS

255 caries-free third molars were used, and CAD was produced by a biological method. The teeth were randomly distributed into: G1- Sound dentin (SD); G2- CAD; G3- CAD + 0.2% NaF (CAD/NaF); G4- CAD + CPP-ACP (CAD/ACP); G5- CAD + Curodont™ Repair (CAD/P₁₁-4). The Filtek Z350 composite resin block was bonded to dentin using Adper™ Single 2 (4 mm/height). Resin/dentin blocks were stored in a solution of Simulated Body Fluid at 37 °C, pressures were modified to simulate natural pulpal pressures. Specimens were investigated by microtensile bond strength (μTBS) (n = 8), Scanning Electron Microscopy (to assess the failure mode) (n = 8), nanoinfiltration (to assess the interface sealing) (n = 3), in situ zymography (to assess the gelatinolytic activity) (n = 3) and micro-computed microtomography (μ-CT) (to assess the mineralization) (n = 3). Data from μTBS, μ-CT and, nanoinfiltration and hybrid layer formation/degradation were submitted to two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests, and failure patterns and in situ zymography to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (α = 5%).

RESULTS

The highest mineral density change by μ-CT, smallest silver nitrate infiltration and proteolytic activity in the adhesive layer were obtained significantly for the groups SD, CAD/ACP and CAD/P₁₁-4, with most mixed fractures at 18-month (p < 0.001). CAD/NaF showed significantly similar values to CAD, CAD and CAD/NaF which presented a high percentage of adhesive fracture (p < 0.001) at all time periods.

SIGNIFICANCE

Treating caries-affected dentin with remineralizing agents CPP-ACP and Curodont™ Repair, has the potential to be a clinically relevant treatment protocol to increase the longevity of adhesive restorations.

Sodium Hypochlorite and Chlorhexidine Downregulate MMP Expression on Radicular Dentin

OBJECTIVE

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are present in radicular dentin and can convert structural matrix proteins into signaling molecules; thus, these enzymes play an essential role in dentin biomineralization and tissue regeneration therapies. Their expression on radicular dentin may be affected by the irrigation solutions used during root canal treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the most common irrigants on radicular dentin MMP expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experimental solutions were distilled water (control), 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 18% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX). Samples were prepared from extracted human teeth. For zymography analysis, root sections were powderized, and dentin proteins were extracted to observe gelatinolytic activity. Root dentin slices were treated with the experimental solutions for immunohistochemical analysis using anti-MMP-2 and anti-MMP-9 antibodies. ANOVA and the Tukey test were performed.

RESULTS

Zymograms revealed the presence of MMP-2, MMP-8, and MMP-20 in the control group and the EDTA-treated group. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 mainly associated with the dentinal tubule lumens and occasionally with intertubular dentin. NaOCl- and CHX-treated groups showed lower expression of MMPs than the control group. Immuno-staining for both proteinases in the EDTA-treated group showed higher expression compared to the other experimental groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that most common irrigants affect MMP expression on radicular dentin. Treatment with NaOCl and chlorhexidine resulted in lower expression of MMPs, while EDTA increased their expression in root canal dentin.