Evaluation and Comparison of the Effect of Three Dental Luting Cements on Mineralized Bone Derived from Dental Pulp Stem Cells: An In Vitro Study

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc phosphate (ZnP)
cement, glass ionomer cement (GIC), and nano-integrated bio-ceramic (NIB) cement on mineralization
when placed in contact with bone tissue-forming cells. Materials and Methods: ZnP cement, GIC, and
NIB cement were divided into direct and indirect groups. A total of 72 cement pellets (24 pellets of
each test sample) of 3 × 1 mm (width × height) were prepared using polytetrafluoroethylene molds.
A total of 3 sample groups were demarcated using 96- cell well culture plates. In the control group,
24 wells were filled with mineralized osteoblasts and 1 μL of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). In test
group 1, to show a direct effect, 36 samples were plated with mineralized osteoblasts and 1 μL GCF
for 24 h; the cells were directly exposed to cement pellets. A total of 36 samples were immersed in
GCF for 24 h; later the supernatant was transferred to the mineralized osteoblasts to demonstrate an
indirect effect in test group 2. To assess the mineralization, osteoblasts were stained with alizarin
red and later observed under an inverted phase-contrast microscope. Data were analyzed using the
statistical package for social sciences. An independent t-test compared the direct and indirect effects
of the ZnP cement, GIC, NIB cement, and control groups on the mineralization of osteoblasts derived
from hDPCs. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the ZnP cement, GIC,
and NIB cement groups (p < 0.05). ZnP cement exhibited a moderate, NIB cement the least harmful
effect, and GIC showed the most harmful effect on the mineralization of osteoblast cells. Conclusions:
The biocompatibility of dental luting cements is an important aspect that clinicians should consider
during their selection. Nano-integrated bio-ceramic cement showed the least negative effect on the
mineralization of osteoblast cells which is beneficial for the cementation of cement-retained implant
prostheses. However, further studies are needed to evaluate osteoblast and osteoclast activity in vivo.