Divalent cations have captured the interest of researchers in biomedical and dental fields due to their beneficial effects on bone formation. These metallic elements are similar to trace elements found in human bone. Strontium is a divalent cation commonly found in various biomaterials. Since strontium has a radius similar to calcium, it has been used to replace calcium in many calcium-containing biomaterials. Strontium has the ability to inhibit bone resorption and increase bone deposition, making it useful in the treatment of osteoporosis. Strontium has also been used as a radiopacifier in dentistry and has been incorporated into a variety of dental materials to improve their radiopacity. Furthermore, strontium has been shown to improve the antimicrobial and mechanical properties of dental materials, promote enamel remineralization, alleviate dentin hypersensitivity, and enhance dentin regeneration. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of the applications of strontium in dentistry.

The advancement of Vital Pulp Therapy (VPT) in dentistry has shown remarkable progress, with a focus on innovative materials and scaffolds to facilitate reparative dentin formation and tissue regeneration. A comprehensive search strategy was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using keywords such as “vital pulp therapy”, “biomaterials”, “dentin regeneration”, and “growth factors”, with filters for English language studies published in the last 10 years. The inclusion criteria focused on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies evaluating traditional and next-generation biomaterials for pulp capping and tissue regeneration. Due to the limitations of calcium-based cements in tissue regeneration, next-generation biomaterials like gelatin, chitosan, alginate, platelet-rich fibrins (PRF), demineralized dentin matrix (DDM), self-assembling peptides, and DNA-based nanomaterials were explored for their enhanced biocompatibility, antibacterial properties, and regenerative potential. These biomaterials hold great potential in enhancing VPT outcomes, but further research is required to understand their efficacy and impact on dentin reparative properties. This review explores the mechanisms and properties of biomaterials in dentin tissue regeneration, emphasizing key features that enhance tissue regeneration. These features include biomaterial sources, physicochemical properties, and biological characteristics that support cells and functions. The discussion also covers the biomaterials’ capability to encapsulate growth factors for dentin repair. The development of innovative biomaterials and next-generation scaffold materials presents exciting opportunities for advancing VPT in dentistry, with the potential to improve clinical outcomes and promote tissue regeneration in a safe and effective manner.

Dental caries, a preventable disease, is caused by highly-adherent, acid-producing biofilms composed of bacteria and yeasts. Current caries-preventive approaches are ineffective in controlling biofilm development. Recent studies demonstrate definite advantages in using natural compounds such as trans-cinnamaldehyde in thwarting biofilm assembly, and yet, the remarkable difficulty in delivering such hydrophobic bioactive molecules prevents further development. To address this critical challenge, we have developed an innovative platform composed of components with a proven track record of safety. We fabricated and thoroughly characterised porous silicon (pSi) microparticles to carry and deliver the natural phenyl propanoid trans-cinnamaldehyde (TC). We investigated its effects on preventing the development of cross-kingdom biofilms (Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans), typical of dental caries found in children. The prepared pSi microparticles were roughly cubic in structure with 70–75% porosity, to which the TC (pSi-TC) was loaded with about 45% efficiency. The pSi-TC particles exhibited a controlled release of the cargo over a 14-day period. Notably, pSi-TC significantly inhibited biofilms, specifically downregulating the glucan synthesis pathways, leading to reduced adhesion to the substrate. Acid production, a vital virulent trait for caries development, was also hindered by pSi-TC. This pioneering study highlights the potential to develop the novel pSi-TC as a dental caries-preventive material.

Objectives: This study developed a sol–gel tricalcium silicate/graphene oxide (TCS-GO) composite and examined its physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activity, and osteo/odontogenic effect on dental pulp stem cells. Methods: Tricalcium silicate was synthesized and combined with graphene oxide at three different concentrations, namely 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.08% w/w, while tricalcium silicate and mineral trioxide aggregate served as controls. The setting time, compressive strength, pH, and calcium ion release of the composites were evaluated, as well as antimicrobial properties against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Additionally, the viability of dental pulp stem cells; apatite forming ability; and the gene expression of Alkaline phosphatase, Dentin sialophosphoprotein, and Runt-related transcription factor 2 were assessed. Results: TCS-GO (0.08%) showed a significantly shorter setting time and higher compressive strength when compared to MTA (p < 0.05). Additionally, tricalcium silicate and TCS-GO groups showed a higher release of Ca ions than MTA, with no significant difference in pH values among the different groups. TCS-GO (0.08%) also demonstrated a significantly stronger antimicrobial effect against Lactobacillus acidophilus compared to MTA (p < 0.05). ALP expression was higher in TCS-GO (0.08%) than MTA on days 3 and 7, while DSPP expression was higher in TCS-GO (0.08%) than MTA on day 3 but reversed on day 7. There was no significant difference in RUNX2 expression between TCS-GO (0.08%) and MTA on days 3 and 7. Conclusions: The TCS-GO (0.08%) composite demonstrated superior physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial properties compared to MTA. Moreover, the early upregulation of ALP and DSPP markers in TCS-GO (0.08%) indicates that it has the potential to promote and enhance the osteo/odontogenic differentiation of DPSCs.