Purpose: To establish an in situ culture model of adult odontoblasts.
Methods: Thirty intact and healthy third molars freshly prepared from 20-30 year old individuals were randomly divided into three groups. Each group had 10 molars. Group 1 was pulp tissue extraction group. Group 2 was serum-containing culture group. Group 3 was serum-free culture group. The root was dissected from the crown and the pulp was pulled out to make odontoblasts remaining in the crown. The odontoblasts were cultured in situ either in medium containing serum or serum-free medium for up to 7 days. The growth status of the cells was examined by light microscopy and cell morphology and distribution was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Cell viability was determined by trypan blue staining.
Results: After pulp removal at room temperature, odontoblasts remained in the wall of the pulp chamber, and kept viable and good morphology during the 7-day culture.
Conclusion: We have successfully established an in situ culture model of adult primary odontoblasts in either serum-containing or serum-free medium.