Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics

A special issue of Journal of Functional Biomaterials (ISSN 2079-4983). This special issue belongs to the section "Dental Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 14995

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Molecular Biology Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina, EPM/UNIFESP Rua Três de Maio, 100, 4º Andar, São Paulo 04044-020, SP, Brazil
Interests: endodontics filers; stem cells derived from teeth; calcium silicate–based cements; dentistry; minimally invasive dentistry; dental materials; modified adhesives; bioactive materials; dental composites; oral surgery & medicine; regenerative endodontics; dental biofilms; endodontic microbiology; endodontics; endodontics and restorative endodontics; tooth bleaching

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Endodontics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
2. Center for Innovation and Research in Oral Sciences (CIROS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: biomaterials; endodontics; regenerative tissue; apexification; apical papilla; stem cells; calcium-silicate-based cements; dental materials; modified adhesives; bioactive materials; dental composites; mineral trioxide aggregate; nanotechnology; regenerative endodontics procedures; revascularization/revitalizatio
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the highest pleasure, we invite all authors to submit manuscripts to one of the contemporary subjects in dentistry: “Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics”.

New biomaterials with exciting functional properties are increasingly being used for oral applications. Our knowledge of this emerging technology has expanded greatly in the last few years, especially in terms of the future clinical translation of scientific attainments, driven by new insights in developmental biology, cell and molecular biology of native tissues and oral tissues, and new biomaterials with biological activities.

Contemporaneous odontology fundamentally involves the development and clinical application of biomaterials. The evolution of these biomaterials within dentistry has been notable, as new materials, new applications, and new techniques are progressively being introduced and materials are constantly developing.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the current knowledge in contemporary basic and clinical research on applications of biomaterials in restorative dentistry and endodontics fields.

We welcome papers on subjects including, but are not limited to, the following: biomaterial developments and applications in restorative dentistry and endodontics; biomaterials’ characterization and development; new biomaterial applications or modifications, such as hydraulic cement and pulp regeneration scaffolds; tissue-engineering scaffolds; regenerative endodontic procedures; apexification; vital pulp therapy; root-end filling; adhesion and new adhesion materials; and biocompatibility.

Advanced original research articles, state-of-the-art reviews, and clinical cases are welcome, with translational research being highly encouraged.

We are looking forward to receiving your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Fábio Dupart Nascimento
Prof. Dr. Paulo J. Palma
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Functional Biomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • new composite materials
  • bioactive materials
  • composites
  • dental adhesives
  • antimicrobial restorative materials
  • hydraulic cements
  • calcium silicate-cements
  • ceramics
  • glass-ceramics
  • metal oxide ceramics
  • endodontics
  • bioceramics
  • regenerative endodontic procedures
  • apexification
  • vital pulp therapy
  • root-end filling
  • biological properties
  • physicochemical properties
  • mechanical properties
  • characterization techniques

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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13 pages, 18951 KiB  
Article
Cytotoxicity, Biocompatibility, and Calcium Deposition Capacity of 45S5 Bioglass Experimental Paste and Bio-C Temp: In Vitro and In Vivo Study Using Wistar Rats
by Francine Benetti, Pedro Henrique Chaves de Oliveira, Maria Paula Bernal de Andrade, Cristiane Cantiga-Silva, Gustavo Sivieri-Araújo, Eloi Dezan Júnior, João Eduardo Gomes-Filho, Ivana Márcia Alvez Diniz, Alexandre Henrique dos Reis-Prado, Marina Trevelin Souza, Edgar Dutra Zanotto and Luciano Tavares Angelo Cintra
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(7), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15070184 - 4 Jul 2024
Viewed by 3810
Abstract
The evolution of biomaterials engineering allowed for the development of products that improve outcomes in the medical–dental field. Bioglasses have demonstrated the ability to either compose or replace different materials in dentistry. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, calcium deposition, and collagen maturation [...] Read more.
The evolution of biomaterials engineering allowed for the development of products that improve outcomes in the medical–dental field. Bioglasses have demonstrated the ability to either compose or replace different materials in dentistry. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity, biocompatibility, calcium deposition, and collagen maturation of 45S5 bioglass experimental paste and Bio-C Temp, compared to calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) paste. The 45S5 bioglass and Ca(OH)2 powder were mixed with distilled water (ratio 2:1); Bio-C Temp is ready-for-use. Dental pulp cells were exposed to the materials’ extracts (1:2 and 1:4 dilutions; 24, 48, and 72 h) for MTT and live/dead analyses. Polyethylene tubes filled with the pastes, or left empty (control), were implanted on the dorsum of 16 rats. After 7 and 30 days (n = 8/period), the rats were euthanized and the specimens were processed for hematoxylin–eosin (H&E), von Kossa (vK), and picrosirius red (PSR) staining, or without staining for polarized light (PL) birefringence analysis. A statistical analysis was applied (p < 0.05). There was no difference in cell viability among Ca(OH)2, 45S5 bioglass, and the control, across all periods and dilutions (p > 0.05), while Bio-C Temp was cytotoxic in all periods and dilutions compared to the control (p < 0.05). Regarding biocompatibility, there was a reduction in inflammation from 7 to 30 days for all groups, without significant differences among the groups for any period (p > 0.05). The fibrous capsules were thick for all groups at 7 days and thin at 30 days. All materials showed positive structures for vK and PL analysis. At 7 days, the control and 45S5 bioglass showed more immature collagen than the other groups (p < 0.05); at 30 days, 45S5 bioglass had more immature than mature collagen, different from the other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Bio-C Temp presented cytotoxicity compared to the other materials, but the three pastes showed biocompatibility and induced calcium deposition. Additionally, the bioglass paste allowed for marked and continuous collagen proliferation. This study contributed to the development of new biomaterials and highlighted different methodologies for understanding the characteristics of medical–dental materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics)
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11 pages, 1524 KiB  
Article
Poly(Aspartic Acid) Promotes Odontoblast-like Cell Differentiation in Rat Molars with Exposed Pulp
by Fernanda Furuse Ventura dos Santos, Stefan Habelitz, Fábio Dupart Nascimento, Victor Elias Arana-Chavez and Roberto Ruggiero Braga
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(11), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14110537 - 1 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1848
Abstract
In recent years, alternative pulpal therapies targeting dentinogenesis signaling pathways using different peptides have been investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of poly(aspartic acid), pAsp, in dentin regeneration using an animal model. Methods: Mechanical pulp exposure was performed [...] Read more.
In recent years, alternative pulpal therapies targeting dentinogenesis signaling pathways using different peptides have been investigated. The aim of this study was to verify the effectiveness of poly(aspartic acid), pAsp, in dentin regeneration using an animal model. Methods: Mechanical pulp exposure was performed in the upper molars of 56 Wistar rats, randomly divided as follows (n = 14): control (no treatment); MTA group—pulp capping with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Angelus); pAsp group—application of 20 μL of pAsp solution (25 mg·mL−1); MTA+pAsp group—application of MTA mixed with pAsp (5:1 by mass). Animals were euthanized after 7 or 21 days. Histological sections were submitted to hematoxylin-eosin and Brown and Brenn staining and immunohistochemical analysis for osteopontin (OPN) and dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP 1). Results: At 7 days, an acute inflammatory infiltrate and the presence of disorganized mineralized tissue were observed in all groups. At 21 days, the quality and thickness of the reparative dentin in treated groups were superior to the control, and bacterial contamination was observed in two MTA-pAsp specimens. While all treated groups showed intense immunostaining for OPN at 21 days, only the pAsp group expressed DMP 1, indicating the presence of fully differentiated odontoblast-like cells. Conclusion: Poly(aspartic) acid promoted dentin regeneration in rat molars in the absence of an additional calcium source and may be an alternative to MTA as a pulp-capping agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics)
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11 pages, 1238 KiB  
Article
Effect of Propolis on Root Dentine Microhardness When Used as an Intracanal Medicament: An In Vitro Study
by Meshal Muhammad Naeem, Huma Sarwar, Aliza Nisar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Juzer Shabbir, Zohaib Khurshid and Paulo J. Palma
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(3), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14030144 - 3 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2568
Abstract
Application of intracanal medicaments may affect the physical properties of root dentine. Calcium hydroxide (CH), a gold standard intracanal medicament, has proven to decrease root dentine microhardness. A natural extract, propolis, has been shown to be superior to CH in eradicating endodontic microbes, [...] Read more.
Application of intracanal medicaments may affect the physical properties of root dentine. Calcium hydroxide (CH), a gold standard intracanal medicament, has proven to decrease root dentine microhardness. A natural extract, propolis, has been shown to be superior to CH in eradicating endodontic microbes, but its effect on the microhardness of root dentine is still not known. This investigation aims to evaluate the effect of propolis on root dentine microhardness compared to calcium hydroxide. Ninety root discs were randomly divided into three groups and treated with CH, propolis, and a control. A Vickers hardness indentation machine with a load of 200 g and dwell time of 15 s at 24 h, 3, and 7 days was used for microhardness testing. ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. A progressive decrease in microhardness values was observed in CH (p < 0.01), whereas a progressive increase was observed in the propolis group (p < 0.01). At 7 days, propolis demonstrated the highest microhardness value (64.43 ± 1.69), whereas CH demonstrated the lowest value (48.46 ± 1.60). The root dentine microhardness increased over time when propolis was applied, while it decreased over time after application of CH on root dentine sections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics)
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14 pages, 8010 KiB  
Article
Differences between the Fittings of Dental Prostheses Produced by CAD-CAM and Laser Sintering Processes
by Mariano Herrero-Climent, Miquel Punset, Meritxell Molmeneu, Aritza Brizuela and Javier Gil
J. Funct. Biomater. 2023, 14(2), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb14020067 - 26 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1742
Abstract
Digital dentistry and new techniques for the dental protheses’ suprastructure fabrication have undergone a great evolution in recent years, revolutionizing the quality of dental prostheses. The aim of this work is to determine whether the best horizontal marginal fit is provided by the [...] Read more.
Digital dentistry and new techniques for the dental protheses’ suprastructure fabrication have undergone a great evolution in recent years, revolutionizing the quality of dental prostheses. The aim of this work is to determine whether the best horizontal marginal fit is provided by the CAD-CAM technique or by laser sintering. These values have been compared with the traditional casting technique. A total of 30 CAD-CAM models, 30 laser sintering models, and 10 casting models (as control) were fabricated. The structures realized with chromium–cobalt (CrCo) have been made by six different companies, always with the same model. Scanning electron microscopy with a high-precision image analysis system was used, and 10,000 measurements were taken for each model on the gingival (external) and palatal (internal) side. Thus, a total of 1,400,000 images were measured. It was determined that the CAD-CAM technique is the one that allows the best adjustments in the manufacturing methods studied. The laser sintering technique presents less adjustment, showing the presence of porosities and volume contraction defects due to solidification processes and heterogeneities in the chemical composition (coring). The technique with the worst adjustments is the casting technique, containing numerous defects in the suprastructure. The statistical analysis of results reflected the presence of statistically significant gap differences between the three manufacturing methods analyzed (p < 0.05), with the samples manufactured by CAD-CAM and by traditional casting processes being the ones that showed lower and higher values, respectively. No statistically significant differences in fit were observed between the palatal and gingival fit values, regardless of the manufacturing method used. No statistically significant differences in adjustment between the different manufacturing centers were found, regardless of the process used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics)
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16 pages, 2807 KiB  
Article
Microbiological Properties and Cytotoxicity of PNVCL Hydrogels Containing Flavonoids as Intracanal Medication for Endodontic Therapy
by Gabriela Pacheco de Almeida Braga, Karina Sampaio Caiaffa, Jesse Augusto Pereira, Vanessa Rodrigues dos Santos, Amanda Caselato Andolfatto Souza, Lucas da Silva Ribeiro, Emerson Rodrigues Camargo, Anuradha Prakki and Cristiane Duque
J. Funct. Biomater. 2022, 13(4), 305; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb13040305 - 17 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1971
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and microbiological properties of poly (N-vinylcaprolactam)—PNVCL hydrogels containing flavonoids as intracanal medication for endodontic therapy. Antimicrobial activity of ampelopsin (AMP), isoquercitrin and rutin was determined against Enterococcus faecalis, Actinomyces israelii, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxicity and microbiological properties of poly (N-vinylcaprolactam)—PNVCL hydrogels containing flavonoids as intracanal medication for endodontic therapy. Antimicrobial activity of ampelopsin (AMP), isoquercitrin and rutin was determined against Enterococcus faecalis, Actinomyces israelii, Lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus mutans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum by the microdilution method. After synthesis and characterization by rheology, PNVCL hydrogels were loaded with AMP and controls calcium hydroxide (CH) and chlorhexidine (CHX), and determined the compounds release profile. PNVCL+AMP, PNVCL+CH, PNVCL+CHX were evaluated on multi-species biofilms and analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). Cytotoxicity was determined after fibroblasts exposure to serial dilutions of AMP and PNVCL hydrogel extracts. AMP was effective against all of the bacteria tested, especially against S. mutans, A. israelli and F. nucleatum. SEM and CLSM analysis showed that PNVCL + AMP caused a significant decrease and disorganization of multi-species biofilms and reduction of intracanal viable cells, superior to the other groups. AMP affected fibroblast viability at concentrations above 0.125 mg/mL, and extracts of PNVCL+AMP showed low cytotoxicity. In conclusion, PNVCL containing AMP demonstrated cytocompatibility and potent effect against multi-species biofilms and could be potential intracanal medication for endodontic purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics)
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25 pages, 1493 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Different Irrigating Solutions on Root Canal Dentin Microhardness—A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
by Sunidhi Agarwal, Lora Mishra, Naomi Ranjan Singh, Rini Behera, Manoj Kumar, Ravishankar Nagaraja, Krzysztof Sokolowski and Barbara Lapinska
J. Funct. Biomater. 2024, 15(5), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb15050132 - 16 May 2024
Viewed by 1817
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigating solutions as well as their combination and activation modes on root canal dentin microhardness. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO and PRISMA guidelines were followed. The structured question was as [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigating solutions as well as their combination and activation modes on root canal dentin microhardness. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO and PRISMA guidelines were followed. The structured question was as follows: “Which type of irrigating solution used in endodontic treatment causes more change in dentin microhardness?” The literature was screened via PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Science Direct. The last search was carried out in February 2023 with English language restriction. Two reviewers independently performed screening and evaluation of articles. A total of 470 articles were retrieved from all the databases, whereas only 114 articles were selected for full-text analysis. After applying eligibility criteria, 44 studies were evaluated and included in this review. The results showed that with increased contact time with irrigants, dentin microhardness decreases. Increased contact time with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was associated with more reduction in dentin microhardness compared with other irrigants. Other irrigants, with the exception of distilled water, including EDTA, citric acid, herbal irrigants, glycolic acid, phytic acid, etc., in this study significantly decreased dentin microhardness. The maximum reduction in dentin microhardness was seen with 2.5% NaOCl after 15 min of contact time. The use of irrigating solutions alters the chemical composition of dentin, thereby decreasing its microhardness, which affects the clinical performance of endodontically treated teeth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomaterials in Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics)
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