title: Bioactivity of chitosan in dentistry. Preliminary data on chitosan-based cements.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The chemical association of chitosan with inorganic salts, such as calcium phosphate, finds a promising application in dentistry as room-temperature self-hardening cement. We present the physical, chemical and crystallographic characterization of newly-developed cements made of 1) calcium-phosphate and a chitosan gel obtained by acetic acid treatment, and 2) calcium phosphate and a chitosan gel obtained by ascorbic acid treatment. Both cements are self-hardening at room temperature.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cements were characterized by X-ray diffractography, scanning electron microscopy and fluorine-selective electrode analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The chitosan-hydroxyapatite cements had hardness comparable to spongy bone and above that of PMMA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cements are promising for application in endodontics and restorative dentistry.
authors.affiliation: CIBAD, Centre for Innovative Biomaterials, Ancona University.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mattioli Belmonte
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Benedittis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mongiorgi
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gandolfi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giardino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Biagini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valdrè
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muzzarelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prati
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dolci
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002686:Chitin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan; D008422:Materials Testing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002686:Chitin; D048271:Chitosan