A leptin-loaded poly-ϵ-caprolactone 3D printing scaffold for odontoblastic differentiation in human dental pulp cells.

This study investigated the effects on odontoblast differentiation of a 3D-printed poly-ϵ-caprolactone (PCL) scaffold that incorporated leptin. Material extrusion-type 3D printing with a 43 000-molecular weight PCL material was used to fabricate a PCL scaffold with a 6 mm diameter, 1 mm height, and 270-340 µm pore size. The experimental groups were PCL scaffolds (control group), PCL scaffolds with aminated surfaces (group A), and PCL scaffolds with leptin on the aminated surface (group L). The aminated surface was treated with 1,6-hexanediamine and verified by ninhydrin analysis. Leptin loading was performed using Traut's reagent and 4-(N-Maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid 3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester sodium salt (Sulfo-SMCC). Groups A and L showed significantly higher surface wettability, pulp cell adhesion, and proliferation than the control group. Group L exhibited increased alkaline phosphatase, calcification deposits, and mRNA and protein expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein and dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 compared with the control group. In this study, a 3D-printed PCL scaffold containing leptin was enhanced odontoblast differentiation and dental pulp cells adhesion and proliferation.

Biological Effects of the Novel Mulberry Surface Characterized by Micro/Nanopores and Plasma-Based Graphene Oxide Deposition on Titanium.

PURPOSE: This paper presents a technique for developing a novel surface for dental implants using a combination of nitriding and anodic oxidation, followed by the deposition of graphene oxide using atmospheric plasma. The effects of various surface treatments on bacterial adhesion and osteoblast activation were also evaluated. METHODS: CP titanium (control) was processed into disk-shaped specimens. Nitriding was conducted using vacuum nitriding, followed by anodic oxidation, which was performed in an electrolyte using a DC power supply, to form the novel "mulberry surface." Graphene oxide deposition was performed using atmospheric plasma with an inflow of carbon sources. After analyzing the sample surfaces, antibacterial activity was evaluated using Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria. The viability, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of osteoblasts were also assessed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey's post-hoc test was used to calculate statistical differences. RESULTS: We observed that the mulberry surface was formed on samples treated with nitriding and anodic oxidation, and these samples exhibited more effective antibacterial activity than the control. We also found that the samples with additional graphene oxide deposition exhibited better biocompatibility, which was validated by osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. CONCLUSION: The development of the mulberry surface along with graphene oxide deposition inhibits bacterial adhesion to the implant and enhances the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of osteoblasts. These results indicate that the mulberry surface and graphene oxide deposition together can inhibit peri-implantitis and promote osseointegration.

Comparing volumetric and biological aspects of 3D-printed interim restorations under various post-curing modes.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the volumetric change, degree of conversion (DOC), and cytotoxicity of 3D-printed restorations post-cured under three different conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D-printed interim restorations were post-cured under three different conditions and systems: 5 min, 30 min, and 24 h. Three-unit and six-unit fixed dental prostheses (n = 30 for each case) were printed; ten specimens from each group were post-cured and then scanned to compare their volumetric changes. Root-mean-squared (RMS) values of the data were acquired by superimposing the scanned files with original files. Thirty disk-shaped specimens were printed to evaluate the DOC ratio. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to compare the DOCs of 10 specimens from each group. Human gingival fibroblasts were used to measure the cell viability of every specimen (n = 7). The data from this experiment were employed for one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc comparisons. RESULTS: Differences between the three-unit restorations were statistically insignificant, regardless of the post-curing conditions. However, for the six-unit restorations, a high RMS value was acquired when the post-curing duration was 30 min. The average DOC was approximately 56 - 62%; the difference between each group was statistically insignificant. All the groups exhibited cell viability greater than 70%, rendering them clinically acceptable. CONCLUSION: The post-curing conditions influenced the volume when the length of the restoration was increased. However, this deviation was found to be clinically acceptable. Additionally, post-curing did not significantly influence the DOC and cytotoxicity of the restorations.