Multifunctional Ca-Zn-Si-based micro-nano spheres with anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, and dentin regenerative properties for pulp capping application

While Pulp capping using a variety of materials has been applied clinically to preserve the health and vitality of the dental pulp and induce dentin repair no one material meets all the anti-infection, anti-inflammation, and promoting pulp tissue regeneration criteria. The micro-nano materials of bioactive glasses (BGs) with the biocompatibility and osteogenesis-promoting properties were developed for this study using Zn-doped bioactive glasses (BGz) micro-nano spheres for dental pulp capping to control infection, inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. Of three key findings, the co-culture of Porphyromonas gingivalis showed that the BGz had an excellent antibacterial effect, and after being stimulated with BGz in vitro, macrophages showed a significant decrease of pro-inflammatory M1 markers compared with the undoped BGs group. Noted too is that the conditioned medium derived from BGz-stimulated macrophages could significantly promote mineralized dentin formation of dental pulp cells (DPCs). In rats, acute pulp restoration experiments proved that BGz used as a pulp capping agent had excellent dentin regenerative property. This work may provide a novel strategy to promote osteo/dentinogenic differentiation through regulating early inflammation, with potential applications in pulp capping.