Dynamic sealing ability of MTA root canal sealer.
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.
Camilleri
J
J
Department of Building and Civil Engineering, Faculty for the Built Environment, University of Malta, Malta, Italy. josette.camilleri@um.edu.mt
Gandolfi
M G
MG
Siboni
F
F
Prati
C
C
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
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