In vitro properties of gellan gum sponge as the dental filling to maintain alveolar space

The insertion of dental filling into the dental cavity is a common method of maintaining the space and shape of dental cavities after dental extractions. To develop novel dental fillings meeting clinical requirements, gellan gum (GG) is selected in this study to prepare fillings with specific characteristics by modulating gellan gum concentrations (denoted as GG-DF). The results indicate that the microstructure, porosity, and compression modulus of 1.5% and 1.75% GG-DF are similar to a commercially product (Teruplug®) and with good blood absorption capacity. The degradation ratio of Teruplug® in an amylase/phosphate buffer solution after 4 weeks is 80% whereas that of 1.5% and 1.75% GG-DF is 65%. Cell migration studies confirmed that the migration ability of fibroblast was significantly inhibited by gellan gum. These results demonstrate that 1.5% and 1.75% GG-DF are potentially viable for developing into dental fillings.