In vitro comparison of physical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and experimental material

This study has been performed to enable common usage and manifacturing of a similar product of MTA which has been found in 1993 by Torabinejad et. al. 1 and has opened new horizons in dentistry practice since then. For the study physical properties of white MTA and experimental material were compared in vitro. X-ray diffraction was used to compare constitutions, while pH changes daily for alkalic properties and aluminum step wedge for radiagraphic comparison. A total of 41 teeth were compared with fluid filtration technique for their apical leakage and 16 samples were used to compare hardness values. Hardness values were obtained using Vickers hardness tester. In Vitro studies show experimental materials leakage is less compared to White MTA. This feature is especially important for root apex filling materials. Biocompatibility with surrounding tissue and antibacterial properties indicated by pH values were similar in both materials. Composition of these two materials were found to be similar in x-ray refraction analysis. Experimental material presented less radioopacity and hardness compared to white MTA. While the radioopacity of the experimental material is less than white material, it must be noted that this value meets ISO standards. Clinical usage kept in mind, hardness ratio is not considered of importance since this value is not given for the functional areas. This study made with white MTA like experimental material shows that it can play a role in increasing cilinical applications because of its availability to be manifactured in our country. However future clinical usage needs further studies performed for its physical and biologic aspects as well. Key Words: MTA, radioopacity, microleakage, hardness