title: Mineral trioxide aggregate: a comprehensive literature review--Part I: chemical, physical, and antibacterial properties.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An ideal orthograde or retrograde filling material should seal the pathways of communication between the root canal system and its surrounding tissues. It should also be nontoxic, noncarcinogenic, nongenotoxic, biocompatible, insoluble in tissue fluids, and dimensionally stable. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was developed and recommended initially because existing root-end filling materials did not have these "ideal" characteristics. MTA has also been recommended for pulp capping, pulpotomy, apical barrier formation in teeth with open apexes, repair of root perforations, and root canal filling. Since MTA's introduction in 1993, numerous studies have been published regarding various aspects of this material. The aim of Part I of this literature review is to present investigations regarding the chemical, physical, and antibacterial properties of MTA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature was performed by using electronic and hand-searching methods for the chemical and physical properties and antibacterial activity of MTA from November 1993-September 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are many published reports regarding the chemical, physical, and antibacterial properties of MTA. Our search showed that MTA is composed of calcium, silica, and bismuth. It has a long setting time, high pH, and low compressive strength. It possesses some antibacterial and antifungal properties, depending on its powder-to-liquid ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MTA is a bioactive material that influences its surrounding environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Oral and Dental Diseases Research Center, Neuroscience Research Center, Iranian Center for Endodontic Research, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parirokh
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torabinejad
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000737:chemistry; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008422:Materials Testing; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D003738:Dental Cements; D004338:Drug Combinations; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C472247:accelerated Portland cement; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate