Effects of pre-mixed hydraulic calcium silicate putties on osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVES: An experimental tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate-containing endodontic putty has been designed to overcome the issue of reduced shelf life after exposure to atmospheric moisture during repeated opening of the container for clinical retrieval. The present study examined the effects of this experimental hydraulic putty on the mineralogenic characteristics of osteogenic lineage-committed human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), by comparing the cellular responses with a commercially available putty (EndoSequence BC RRM Putty). METHODS: The osteogenic potential of hDPSCs that had been exposed to the putties was examined using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for osteogenic gene expressions and western blot for osteogenic protein expressions. Alkaline phosphatase activity assay and alizarin red S staining were performed to detect changes in production of the intracellular enzyme and extracellular matrix mineralization respectively. RESULTS: Osteogenic differentiation of the hDPSCs was significantly enhanced after exposure to the pre-mixed hydraulic putties, with no significant difference between these two examined putties. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental hydraulic tricalcium silicate putty enhances osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs to the same extent as a commercially available tricalcium silicate putty. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The experimental hydraulic putty appears to be an alternative to the commercial putty when used for applications involving the regeneration of bone in endodontics. Animal models are required for validating its potential in enhancing osteogenesis in vivo.

Retrospective study on idiopathic bone cavity and its association with cementoosseous dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to reveal clinical and pathologic findings on idiopathic bone cavity lesions (IBC). STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 20 IBC cases diagnosed from 2004 to 2014 from a university-based maxillofacial pathology service was performed and included all pertinent clinical, histologic, and radiographic findings. RESULTS: Eleven women (age = 36 ± 12.7) and 9 men (age = 23 ± 17.9) diagnosed with IBC were selected for analysis. There was a higher African-American female predilection (40%). Thirty percent of the cases were associated with florid cementoosseous dysplasia (COD) (all middle-aged African-American women). The location of the lesions was mandibular in 85% of the patients. All symptomatic patients (25%) had concomitant COD. Only 1 patient reported previous trauma, and only 1 patient had prior orthodontic treatment. Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 8 years, with only 1 recurrence 3 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that IBC concurrent with COD may not be as rare as the literature implies. Clinicians must be attentive to this possible relationship to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.