Short-Term Effect of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on an Ex-Vivo 3-D Tooth Culture

Abstract

We investigated the short-term effect of LIPUS on human dentin-pulp complex in vitro. We collected sixty-three premolars from patients who needed the extraction. The premolars were sectioned transversely into 600-μm-thick slices, and then divided into five groups according to LIPUS application time (control, 5, 10, 15 and 20 min). LIPUS transducer produced an incident intensity of 30 mW/cm2. After 24 h, tissue was harvested for histomorphometrical analysis and RT-PCR (Genes of interest: Collagen I, DMP1, DSPP, TGF β1, RANKL and OPG). Histomorphometric analysis showed no significant difference among the five groups in the odontoblast count and predentin thickness. RT-PCR demonstrated no expre..