SYNOPSIS
Better understanding of the dentin-pulp complex is now leading to treatment modalities aimed at tooth regeneration, such as pulp capping, in clinical settings. However, the control of infection and biocompatibility of pulp-capping materials are important factors in determining treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was investigated the effects of CaCO₃ on calcified nodule formation, ALP activity, cell viability and BMP-2 and OCN expression after 30-day culture of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs). The results showed that the number of calcium nodules, ALP activity, cell viability and BMP-2 and OCN expression increased in a CaCO₃-dependent manner. PCR data also confirmed that Smad1 mRNA expression in hDPCs increased in a CaCO₃ dose-dependent manner. This suggests that CaCO₃ is able to induce in vitro cell differentiation of hDPCs into cells capable of mineralization. Thus, treatment of exposed pulp with CaCO₃ is effective for dentinogenesis.

Key words: dental pulp, calcium carbonate, cell differentiation, pulp capping agent, dental pulp calcification