Impact of Bioactive Cements on Mineral Density of Artificially Demineralized Dentin
European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry (2025) 33, 346–352
KeywordsDentin Conservative Treatment Tooth Remineralization Biodentine
AuthorsABSTRACTObjectives: Bioactive dental materials have the potential to remineralize carious dentin. This study compared the ability of four bioactive cements to increase the mineral content of demineralized dentin. Methods: Four cavities (2×0.5 mm) were prepared within the dentin of the occlusal surface of 15 teeth. The samples underwent pH-cycling for 14 days to induce demineralization. Three teeth were randomly assigned to each group (Biodentine, ACTIVA BioACTIVE, Oxford ActiveCal, Dycal, control). After placing the materials in the cavities, the entire occlusal surfaces were covered with composite resin, the samples were stored in a remineralizing solution for 30 days. The mineral density of the pulpal floors was determined using micro-CT. The data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. After horizontal sectioning, SEM-EDS mapping was done at the cementdentin interface of the cavity floor of one sample in each group. Results: There were significant differences between the test groups compared to the control group in terms of the mineral density of the cavity pulpal floors. The highest calcium and phosphorus weight percentages were observed in the Biodentine and ActiveCal groups, respectively. Conclusions: All the bioactive cements increased the mineral content of artificially demineralized dentin at the pulpal floor of the cavities.
INTRODUCTIONVital pulp therapy (VPT) preserves pulpal tissue that is at risk from caries, trauma, restorative procedures, or iatrogenic reasons and increases tooth survival because it conserves the integrity of the hard dental tissues.1 Various medicaments and restorative materials have been used during vital pulp treatments. Calcium hydroxide was one of the first materials to be used because of its antibacterial properties and its ability to prevent future bacterial penetration and injury to the pulp.2 However, the material has several disadvantages such as inflammation and surface necrosis of the pulp, tunnel defects in the tertiary dentin that lead to an incomplete barrier against recurrent infection, high solubility in oral fluids, and a lack of adhesion to dentin.3 More recently, bioactive materials have been used to induce remineralization of carious dentin.4 The term ‘bioactive’ in restorative dentistry refers to materials that form a surface layer similar to apatite in the presence of a mineral phosphate solution.5 The bioactive materials used in restoring demineralized dentin should provide mineral ions, bind to collagen (to function as a pattern for calcium and phosphorous and induce the apatite
Received: 11.05.2025 Accepted: 27.08.2025
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