title: Investigation of the physical properties of tricalcium silicate cement-based root-end filling materials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tricalcium silicate-based cements have been displayed as suitable root-end filling materials. The physical properties of prototype radiopacified tricalcium silicate cement, Bioaggregate and Biodentine were investigated. Intermediate restorative material was used as a control.
  
  
  METHODS
  The physical properties of a prototype zirconium oxide replaced tricalcium silicate cement and two proprietary cements composed of tricalcium silicate namely Bioaggregate and Biodentine were investigated. Intermediate restorative material (IRM) was used as a control. Radiopacity assessment was undertaken and expressed in thickness of aluminum. In addition the anti-washout resistance was investigated using a novel basket-drop method and the fluid uptake, sorption and solubility were investigated using a gravimetric method. The setting time was assessed using an indentation technique and compressive strength and micro-hardness of the test materials were investigated. All the testing was performed with the test materials immersed in Hank's balanced salt solution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the materials tested had a radiopacity value higher than 3mm thickness of aluminum. IRM exhibited the highest radiopacity. Biodentine demonstrated a high washout, low fluid uptake and sorption values, low setting time and superior mechanical properties. The fluid uptake and setting time was the highest for Bioaggregate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of admixtures to tricalcium silicate-based cements affects the physical properties of the materials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grech
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mallia
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camilleri
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003738:Dental Cements / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: C557009:BioAggregate; D017610:Calcium Compounds; D003738:Dental Cements; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D017640:Silicates; C506393:tricalcium silicate; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide