Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the adhesion and proliferation ability of human dental follicle cell(hDFC) and human periodontal ligament cell(hPDLC) cultured on titanium, and to investigate their changes of proliferation and growth when induced by enamel matrix protein(EMP). Methods The hDFCs and hPDLCs were obtained from healthy human impacted third molars and non-impacted premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons, hDFCs and hPDLCs were isolated and cultured by explant technique. Pure titanium disks were prepared by sandblasted and acid-etched technologies. There were four groups in the study: hDFC cultured with EMP group, hDFC group, hPDLC cultured with EMP group, hPDLC group, quantitative analysis of cell proliferation and attachment by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) and fluorescence stain. The growth of cells cultured on titanium disk from day 1 to day 7 was observed by scanning electron microscope. Results MTT assay value showed no significant difference among each group from day 1 to day 7(P>0.05). Shape factor(Sf) value showed a marked increase in groups induced by EMP than groups without induction(P0.05), and a marked increase in hDFC cultured with EMP group than hPDLC cultured with EMP group(P
