Purpose: To compare the effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), amalgam and intermediate restorative material (IRM) on human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLC) using an in vitro wound healing model.
Methods: Wound was created by making a 3mm in width incision in the cell monolayer across the length of tissue culture plate, then the cell monolayer was treated with media containing MTA, IRM, and amalgam extracts, respectively. Medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (10%FBS) served as positive control, and that with 0.1% FBS as negative control. The cells were incubated for 2, 6 and 9 days, and at each time point, the levels of both proliferation and cellular wound filling were measured across the width of the wound. SPSS 11.5 software package was used for analyze.
Results: There was little cellular repopulation of the wound on the day 2. On the day 6 and day 9, the order of response was MTA > amalgam > IRM (P < 0.05). For the cell proliferative activity, the order was MTA > amalgam approximately equal to IRM on the day 2.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the degree of cytotoxic effect in ascending order is MTA, amalgam and IRM.