title: Dynamic sealing ability of MTA root canal sealer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate (i) the sealing ability of two sealers, mineral trioxide aggregate sealer (MTAS) and Pulp Canal Sealer (PCS), used with gutta-percha utilizing the fluid filtration method, (ii) leaching and surface characteristics in Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) over a period of time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surface characteristics in HBSS were evaluated under the scanning electron microscope after 1 and 28 days, and the leaching of both sealers were assessed by inductively coupled plasma atomic absorption spectrometry (ICP-AAS). In addition, 24 single rooted extracted teeth were root filled using warm vertical compaction with either MTAS or PCS used as sealers with gutta-percha. Four teeth were used as positive and negative controls. Sealing ability was evaluated after 1 or 28 days using the fluid filtration method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mineral trioxide aggregate sealer exhibited crystalline deposits rich in calcium and phosphorus on its surface when in contact with a physiological solution. These crystalline deposits were absent in PCS and on MTAS stored at 100% humidity. The sealing ability of MTAS was similar to that of PCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel sealer based on mineral trioxide aggregate had comparable sealing ability to a proprietary brand sealer cement. In contact with a simulated body fluid, the MTA sealer released calcium ions in solution that encouraged the deposition of calcium phosphate crystals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Building and Civil Engineering, Faculty for the Built Environment, University of Malta, Malta, Italy. josette.camilleri@um.edu.mt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camilleri
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gandolfi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Siboni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Prati
mesh_terms: D017607:Aluminum Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D013499:Surface Properties; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D017607:Aluminum Compounds; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D004338:Drug Combinations; C072670:Hanks Balanced Salt Solution; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D010087:Oxides; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; D015035:Zinc Oxide-Eugenol Cement; C086631:mineral trioxide aggregate; C076543:Kerr Pulp Canal Sealer; D006171:Gutta-Percha