Description:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Biodentine, using a three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture associated with an <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> root‐end filling experimental model. White mineral trioxide aggregate (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTA</jats:styled-content>) and zinc oxide cement were used as reference for comparison. <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">IL</jats:styled-content>‐1α and <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">TNF</jats:styled-content>‐α cytokine production were also evaluated.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methodology</jats:title><jats:p>The root canals of 24 human maxillary incisor teeth were prepared using a single‐file reciprocating technique. After root filling, a 3‐mm root‐end resection was performed and 3 mm of gutta‐percha was removed from the canal. The teeth were randomly distributed to receive one of the following root‐end filling materials: Biodentine, white <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTA</jats:styled-content> or zinc oxide cement (positive control group). In the negative control group, the root canal was not retro‐filled. The cytocompatibility of the materials was evaluated using the methyl‐thiazol‐diphenyl‐tetrazolium (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTT</jats:styled-content>) assay in an <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> root‐end filling experimental model. Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts, cultured in rat tail collagen type I 3D scaffold, were exposed to the root apex for 24 h, and cell viability was measured by means of reduction <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTT</jats:styled-content> salt. <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">IL</jats:styled-content>‐1α and <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">TNF</jats:styled-content>‐α production were analysed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. One‐way analysis of variance was performed and, when the <jats:italic>F</jats:italic>‐ratios were significant, data were compared by Duncan's multiple‐range test. The alpha‐type error was set at 0.05.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Biodentine and <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTA</jats:styled-content> groups had similar cell activity to the negative control group (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> > 0.05), indicating low cytotoxicity for both materials. The stronger cytotoxicity effect was identified on the zinc oxide cement (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05). Zinc oxide cement caused a significant up‐regulation in <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">IL</jats:styled-content>‐1α and <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">TNF</jats:styled-content>‐α (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05). No significant differences amongst <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTA</jats:styled-content>, Biodentine and the negative control group were observed for <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">TNF</jats:styled-content>‐α (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> > 0.05); however, both <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTA</jats:styled-content> and Biodentine were associated with overproduction of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">IL</jats:styled-content>‐1α when compared to the control group (<jats:italic>P</jats:italic> < 0.05).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Biodentine and <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">MTA</jats:styled-content> had similar cytocompatibility in a 3D cell culture model associated with an <jats:italic>in situ</jats:italic> root‐end filling model. The methodology could be used as an alternative to assess the cytocompatibility of endodontic cements because it is more closely related to the <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> situation.</jats:p></jats:sec>