Comparison of Dental Stem Cell Survival and Adherence to Endodontic Sealers

Objective. This study compared the survival and attachment of Dental Pulp Stem Cells (DPSCs) to five common endodontic sealers. Background. It is not known if endodontic sealers can be used as part of regenerative endodontic therapies because previous research has not measured if they are toxic to DPSCs. Methods. Forty-eight extracted human single-canal teeth were cleaned and shaped using ProTaper rotary files. Sealers were introduced into the canals with gutta percha points. The sealers selected were: AH Plus Sealer (De Trey/Dentsply, Konstanz,Germany), Apexit Sealer (Vivadent, Schaan, FL), Seal Apex Sealer, RealSeal (Sybron Endo/Kerr Romulus MI), Pulpdent Sealer (Pulpdent Corp. Watertown, MA), BC Sealer (Brassler USA, Savannah GA), in addition to a tissue bio-adhesive (BD Cell-Tak, BD Bioscience, San Jose. CA). The instrumented teeth were immediately placed in cell culture with confluent DPSCs for one week. The teeth were processed for scanning electron microscopy and micrographs were categorized using a double blind scale for DPSC survival and attachment. Data was analyzed by ANOVA statistical tests (P values) at a significance of 95%. Results. All the sealers had some toxicity. The survival and attachment of DPSCs varied between the different types of sealers (P < 0.05). The best product was bio-adhesive. Conclusion. The selection of a low toxicity sealer type is important for DPSC survival and attachment, which is important to successful regenerative endodontic therapy. Grants. This study was funded by NSU Health Professions Division.