Bioactivity Assessment of Pulp Capping Biomaterials: In vitro Approaches

Maintaining the health of the dental pulp is essential for the long-term well-being of a tooth. Vital pulpal therapy is aimed at preserving and supporting the vitality of pulp tissue in teeth affected by trauma, caries, or dental procedures. The primary objective is to stimulate the formation of reparative dentin to maintain tooth viability. Successful outcomes in vital pulpal therapy rely on accurate diagnosis, patient selection, and evaluation of various factors such as pulp exposure location, pulp maturity, and quality of existing dental treatment. In vital pulpal therapy, a protective bioagent, called a pulp capping material, is applied over the exposed dentin. Over time, numerous dental biomaterials have been developed to promote safe tissue responses and improve treatment outcomes. With advancements in our understanding of dentin-pulp complex healing mechanisms, new biomaterials have emerged to support pulp vitality during conservative and restorative dental procedures. However, selecting the most suitable biomaterial for each clinical scenario can be challenging due to the array of options available. Therefore, developing and assessing the bioactivity of novel pulp capping biomaterials is crucial, given the significant role of pulp capping in maintaining dental health. In this review, we review the typical in vitro cell culture and molecular biology techniques frequently utilised to evaluate both the cytoprotective and cytotoxic properties of novel pulp capping biomaterials. These techniques contribute to the comprehensive assessment of biomaterial efficacy and safety, aiding in the advancement of vital pulpal therapy practices and patient care.