Re-mineralizing dentin using an experimental tricalcium silicate cement with biomimetic analogs

Objectives To characterize the re-mineralization potential of an experimental zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) containing tricalcium silicate (TCS) cement, TCS 50, with the incorporation of biomimetic analogs at demineralized dentin. Methods Class-I cavities were prepared in non- carious human third molars. The dentin cavities were demineralized using a pH-cycling protocol, involving 50 cyclic immersions in pH-4.8 and pH-7 baths for 0.5 h and 2.5 h, successively. The cavities were filled with TCS 50 with/without biomimetic analogs (3% polyacrylic acid, 8% sodium trimetaphosphate) being added to the mixed TCS 50 cement prior to application. The commercial hCSCs Biodentine (Septodont) and ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Sirona) served as controls. After 1 and 6 weeks storage in simulated body fluid (SBF), the polished specimen cross-sections were chemically characterized using a field-emission-gun Electron Probe Micro-Analysis (Feg- EPMA). Results EPMA line-scans and elemental mappings confirmed early re-mineralization induced by TCS 50 at 1 week. When biomimetic analogs were added to TCS 50, re-mineralization was more efficient after 6 weeks; the relative depth and intensity of re-mineralization were 79.7% and 76.6%, respectively, being significantly greater than at 1 week (pSignificance: The experimental TCS-based cement, TCS 50, proved to be capable of re-mineralizing artificially demineralized dentin. The incorporation of biomimetic analogs promoted re- mineralization upon 6-week SBF storage. However, re-mineralization appeared incomplete, this even for TCS 50 to which biomimetic analogs were added and upon 6-week SBF storage.