Biomineralization potential and biological properties of a new tantalum oxide (Ta2O5)–containing calcium silicate cement

Abstract

Abstract Objective The present study evaluated the biological effects and biomineralization potential of a new tantalum oxide (Ta2O5)–containing material designed for vital pulp therapy or perforation repair (NeoMTA 2), compared to NeoMTA Plus and Bio-C Repair. Material and methods Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) were exposed to different eluates from NeoMTA Plus, NeoMTA 2, and Bio-C Repair. Ion release from each material was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-MS). The biological experiments performed were MTT assays, apoptosis/necrosis assays, adhesion assays, migration assays, morphology evaluation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production analysis. Biomineralization was assessed by Alizarin red S staining. Finally, osteo/odontogenic gene expression was determined by real-time quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results NeoMTA 2 displayed a significantly higher calcium release compared to the other materials (p < 0.05). When hDPSCs were cultured in presence of the different material eluates, all groups exhibited similar hDPSC viability and migration rates when compared to untreated cells. Substantial cell attachment and spreading were observed in all materials’ surfaces, without significant differences. hDPSCs treated with NeoMTA 2 displayed an upregulation of ALP, Col1A1, RUNX2 (p < 0.001), ON, and DSPP genes (p < 0.05), and showed the highest mineralization potential compared to other groups (p < 0.001). Finally, the more concentrated eluates from these materials, specially NeoMTA Plus and NeoMTA 2, promoted higher ROS production in hDPSCs compared to Bio-C Repair and control cells (p < 0.001), although these ROS levels did not result in increased cell death. Conclusions The new tantalum oxide (Ta2O5)–containing material shows an adequate cytocompatibility and the ability to promote biomineralization without using chemical osteogenic inducers, showing great potential as a new material for vital pulp therapy. Clinical relevance NeoMTA 2 seems to be a promising material for vital pulp therapy. Further studies considering its biocompatibility and biomineralization potential are necessary.