ABSTRACT
@#Basic research on pulp regeneration requires in vivo experiments. The PubMed database was searched for in vivo models of stem cell-based pulp regeneration using the following keywords: "pulp regeneration", "stem cell" and "animal model". The retrieved models were classified into ectopic, semiorthotopic and orthotopic regeneration models and their characteristics and clinical values were reviewed. This literature review indicated that the ectopic regeneration model is the most widely used model for the simple steps. However, this model does not accurately capture clinical situations. The semiorthotopic regeneration model, which is an improvement of the ectopic regeneration model, can create a more realistic regeneration environment. The orthotopic regeneration model can simulate clinical procedures that more closely resemble application, but it is less commonly used for difficult operations and long experimental periods. The applicability of the above three animal models depend on the stage of the animal experiment: the ectopic regeneration model is suitable to test the regenerative effect and biocompatibility of the implant complex; the semiorthotopic regeneration model is suitable to more persuasively evaluate the regeneration effect of the implant complex; and the orthotopic regeneration model is suitable to confirm the regeneration effect and practicability of the regenerative implant complex prior to clinical study.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To compare the color stability of Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) within the blood environment in vitro and to further investigate the underlying reasons for such color instability. @*Methods @#We first generated Biodentine and MTA discs with a diameter of 5 mm and a height of 3 mm. 24 discs of each material were randomly divided into two groups: the deionized water group and the defibrinated sheep blood group. Discs of each group were immersed for 1 day or 7 days before assessments. First, all discs were photographed to directly compare the discoloration of Biodentine and MTA. The color degree of the two materials was tested by a spectrophotometer. Then, the high-resolution morphological characteristics were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the chemical contents of each element in the material were measured by energy-dispersive spectroscopy.@*Results @#Compared to immediately after stripping, a change in the brightness of discs after immersion in defibrinated sheep blood for 1 day was observed only in MTA. On the 7th day after being immersed in blood, the colors of both the Biodentine and MTA discs darkened and turned deep red, but the darkness of the MTA discs increased significantly. The color change of MTA immersed in blood was measured on a spectrophotometer with a greater 7-day ∆E (21.257 ± 0.955) than the Biodentine 7-day ∆E (5.833 ± 0.501) (t=24.781, P < 0.001). MTA exhibits more discoloration as the immersion time goes on. A significant difference was noted between the 1-day ∆E(6.233 ± 0.888) and the 7-day ∆E(t=19.956, P < 0.001) of MTA immersed in blood. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the 1-day ∆E (6.790 ± 0.831) and the 7-day ∆E(t=1.707, P=0.163) of Biodentine immersed in blood. It was observed by scanning electron microscopy that after 7 days of immersion in the defibrinated sheep ablood, the surface porosity of MTA was larger than that of Biodentine, and the crystal edge of MTA became rounded and blunt. The analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the oxygen content decreased and the bismuth content increased in MTA after immersion in defibrinated sheep blood for 7 days. Zirconium was not detected in Biodentine due to its low radiodensity, but the contents of other elements were stable in Biodentine after immersion in defibrinated sheep blood for 7 days. @* Conclusion@#The color stability of Biodentine within the blood environment is better than that of MTA in vitro, which is mainly related to the low surface porosity and stable composition of the anti-radiation agent of Biodentine.