Evaluation of the proliferation, attachment and induction of osteogenesis in dental pulp stem cells seeded on polymeric scaffolds containing PEEK

Abstract

Introduction: Replacing bone defects and missing teeth is one of the most important concerns of researchers and clinicians in the field of medicine and dentistry. The use of ossification stimulants with the aim of increasing osteointegration or rebuilding lost bone tissues can be a suitable solution for the treatment and correction of bone and dental defects. PEEK is one of the stimulating materials investigated in various studies. During this study, the effect of polymer scaffolds containing PEEK on the rate of proliferation, adhesion and induction of ossification of dental pulp stem cells was investigated. Methods and materials: Dental pulp stem cells were purchased from the cell bank of Shahid Beheshti University and cultured on polymer scaffolds containing PEEK. One plate was used to check the level of ossification through alizaren red staining, one plate was used to check the adhesion level through electron microscopy, and the next plate was used to check cell proliferation through the MTT assay protocol. The statistical data obtained from these analyzes were analyzed through SPSS17 software and Image J software. Findings: Based on the analysis of MTT assay, the amount of live cells after 1, 3 and 5 days in the group containing scaffold was higher than the group without scaffold. Also, based on the images obtained from the electron microscope, these cells were attached to the scaffolds with high density. According to the results of alizaren red analysis, the intensity of red color in the group with scaffold was significantly higher than the group without scaffold. Conclusion: According to the results obtained from this study, the rate of proliferation, adhesion and ossification induction in dental pulp stem cells increases significantly in the vicinity of polymer scaffolds containing PEEK. As a result, it seems that its use can be effective in covering bone defects due to its ossification induction property and around dental implants with the aim of increasing osseointegration. It can also be used as an effective material in flooring and covering pulp exposure.