Bioactive glass in dentistry

This in vitro study was designed to determine whether bioactive glass S53P4 could be used to induce mineralization in living connective tissue, in decalcified dentin matrix and in dentin with opened dentinal tubules. Mucosal explants were placed on their sides over the glass plates, cultured, sectioned and stained. Decalcified dentin matrix sections were prepared, kept in contact with the glass plates and stained. Six extracted third molars were prepared into cupshaped specimens, filled with either SBF or saline, immersed in either a suspension of the glass powder or saline and kept in a humidified chamber. The dentin permeability was examined by changing the SBF to Nigrosin. The results of the three experiments were evaluated visually, under light microscopy and SEM. They revealed that glass S53P4 induced tissue mineralization in mucosal explants and in dentin both at the glass-tissue interface and at sites away from it. Our proposed potential uses of the material are as: a mineralizing agent in caries prophylactics, a desensitising agent for teeth with opened dentinal tubules, a coating for metal implants, and a root canal sealer. Further studies of glass S53P4 are needed in order to validate its above-mentioned potential uses. First published in Dental Update 1999;6(4): 11-15. Authors: