The aim of this study was to investigate the cytocompatibility and mineralization potential of two premixed hydraulic endodontic sealers compared with an epoxy resin-based root canal sealer. The cellular responses and mineralization capacity were studied in human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) that were exposed to premixed hydraulic sealers, Bio-C Sealer (Angelus, Londrína, PR, Brazil), TotalFill BC Sealer (FKG Dentaire SA, La-Chaux-de-fonds, Switzerland) and an epoxy resin-based material, AH Plus (Dentsply De Trey, Konstanz, Germany). Non-exposed cultures served as the control. The endodontic sealers were assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). Statistical analyses were done using Analisis of Variance (ANOVA), with Bonferroni adjusted pairwise comparison (p = 0.05). AH Plus reduced cell viability and cell migration, whereas increased cell viability and cell migration were observed in the Bio-C Sealer and the TotalFill BC Sealer (p < 0.05). The lowest cell attachment and spreading were observed for all concentrations of AH Plus, whereas the highest were observed for TotalFill BC Sealer. At the end of 21 days, only the Bio-C Sealer and the TotalFill BC Sealer supported matrix mineralization (p < 0.05). Additionally, SEM-EDX revealed high content of calcium, oxygen, and silicon in the Bio-C Sealer and the TotalFill BC Sealer. Based on the results from this study, Bio-C Sealer and TotalFill BC Sealer demonstrated better cytocompatibility in terms of cell viability, migration, cell morphology, cell attachment, and mineralization capacity than AH Plus.

Biocompatibility is an essential property for any vital pulp material that may interact with the dental pulp tissues. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare the chemical composition and ultrastructural morphology of Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur-des-Fosses, France), ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Johnson City, TN, USA), and Bio-C Repair (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil), as well as their biological effects on human dental pulp cells. Chemical element characterization of the materials was undertaken using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). The cytotoxicity was assessed by analyzing the cell viability (MTT assay), cell morphology (immunofluorescence assay), and cell attachment (flow cytometry assay). The results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). EDX revealed that ProRoot MTA and Biodentine were mostly composed of calcium, carbon, and oxygen (among others), whereas Bio-C Repair evidenced a low concentration of calcium and the highest concentration of zirconium. SEM showed adequate attachment of human dental pulp cells (hDPCS) to vital pulp materials and cytoskeletal alterations were not observed in the presence of material eluates. Remarkably, the undiluted Biodentine group showed higher viability than the control group cells (without eluates) at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h (p < 0.001). Based on the evidence derived from an in vitro cellular study, it was concluded that Bio-C Repair showed excellent cytocompatibility that was similar to Biodentine and ProRoot MTA.