A Biomimetic Approach for Treating Deep Dentin Carious Lesions Using Dentin Matrix Protein (DMP-1): An In Vitro Comparative Study

  • Eur J Dent. 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.1055/s-0046-1817164.
Ahmed F Al-Thabhawee  1 ,  Lamis A Al-Taee  1 ,  Hamdi H Hamama  2  3 ,  Danya Hashem  4
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Conservative and Aesthetic Dentistry, Baghdad College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
  • 2. Conservative Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
  • 3. Conservative Dentistry Department, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Alsalam University, Tanta, Egypt.
  • 4. Department of Restorative Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
PMID: 41962578 DOI: 10.1055/s-0046-1817164
Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the potential of a phosphoprotein analogue to mediate mineral deposition and enhance surface integrity in deep carious dentin lesions, compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Sylc air abrasion.

Materials and methods: Thirty carious dentin discs (3.5 ± 0.1 mm in thickness) were prepared and examined visually (ranging from yellow to light brown), through tactile assessment (leathery sensation), with 0-20 DIAGNOdent pen readings indicating caries-affected dentin (CAD) substrate. The specimens received three treatments: dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1, MCE, United States), MTA (Angelus, Brazil), and Sylc air abrasion (AquaCare, United Kingdom), and were immersed in artificial saliva (pH 7, 37°C) for 30 days. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and contact angle measurement were performed on DMP-1. The mineral and organic content was assessed using Raman micro-spectroscopy, while cross-sectional tissue hardness was evaluated by a Vickers tester at 50 and 100 µm depth from the treated surfaces. The morphological assessment was conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Statistical analysis: One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test and paired t-test were performed for the statistical analyses.

Results: The FTIR spectra of DMP-1 displayed the amide bands associated with carbonyl and N-H stretching vibrations, in addition to the phosphate band. DMP-1 exhibited good wettability (contact angle of 27°), and enhanced the phosphate and organic content and tissue hardness of the treated CAD surfaces compared with pretreatment values (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the MTA-treated surface demonstrated the highest phosphate content and Vickers hardness number up to 100 µm (p = 0.005). The SEM showed compact surfaces completely covered with mineral precipitation.

Conclusion: DMP-1 provided a successful biomimetic analogue that enhanced the mineral-organic phases of mineral-depleted dentin surfaces, offering an effective treatment modality for deep carious lesions compared with MTA and Sylc air abrasion.

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