Comparing the physical properties of calcium silicate based cements with micro computed tomography in different conditions

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of blood, acidic and alkali solutions on physical properties of calcium silicate cements which are used as root-end filling materials by using microcomputed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis. Material and method: Eighty-four single-rooted teeth were cleaned, shaped, and obturated in the same manner. After root-end resection, 3 mm deep root-end cavities were ultrasonically prepared. The samples were randomly divided into four test groups (n = 21). ProRoot MTA, Angelus MTA, Bioaggregate, and Biodentine were prepared, applied to the root-end cavities immediately and analysed with Micro-CT. The test groups exposed for four days to environments containing acidic pH (4.4), alkali pH (10.4), and blood. After four days the samples were scanned with Micro-CT second time to assess the volume, density, and porosity changes of the materials. Results: The statistical analysis revealed that volume changes had significant differences found for all cements exposed to acidic pH (p < 0.001); Biodentine had the highest amount of volume loss. Biodentine also showed the highest percentage of density change after treatment with acidic pH. Angelus MTA showed the lowest percentages of volume and density changes after treatment with acidic pH. Significantly less change in porosity due to acidic pH was observed in Biodentine compared with Angelus MTA and ProRoot MTA. There was no difference between the porosity changes resulting from alkali and blood exposure. Conclusion: The physical properties of all four materials showed respectable changes after exposed to acidic pH, while fewer changes occurred to the structures of materials treated with blood and alkali pH.