**Donghee Lee 1,**†**, Jun-Beom Park 2,**†**, Dani Song 3, Hye-Min Kim <sup>3</sup> and Sin-Young Kim 3,\***


Received: 10 February 2020; Accepted: 16 March 2020; Published: 18 March 2020

**Abstract:** The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and mineralization potential of four calcium silicate-based cements on human gingiva-derived stem cells (GDSCs). The materials evaluated in the present study were ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties), Biodentine (Septodont), Endocem Zr (Maruchi), and RetroMTA (BioMTA). Experimental disks of 6 mm in diameter and 3 mm in height were produced and placed in a 100% humidified atmosphere for 48 h to set. We evaluated the cytotoxic effects of the cements using methyl-thiazoldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) and live/dead staining assays. We used a scratch wound healing assay to evaluate cell migratory ability. Mineralization potential was determined with an Alizarin red S (ARS) staining assay. In the MTT assay, no significant differences were found among the ProRoot MTA, Biodentine, and control groups during the test period *(p* > 0.05). The Endocem Zr and RetroMTA groups showed relatively lower cell viability than the control group at day 7 (*p* < 0.05). In the wound healing assay, no significant differences were found among the ProRoot MTA, Biodentine, Endocem Zr, and control groups during the test period (*p* > 0.05). The RetroMTA group had slower cell migration compared to the control group at days 3 and 4 (*p* < 0.05). In the ARS assay, the ProRoot MTA, Biodentine, and RetroMTA groups exhibited a significant increase in the formation of mineralized nodules compared to the Endocem Zr and control groups on day 21 (*p* < 0.05). In conclusion, the four calcium silicate-based cements evaluated in the present study exhibited good biological properties on GDSCs. ProRoot MTA, Biodentine, and RetroMTA showed higher mineralization potential than the Endocem Zr and control groups.

**Keywords:** cell survival; cell migration assay; calcium silicate-based cements; calcium nodule formation
