Investigation of a novel mechanically mixed mineral trioxide aggregate (MM-MTA™)

Aim To characterize a novel mechanically mixed mineral trioxide aggregate product (MM‐MTA, MicroMega, Besançon, France) and to investigate the physical and chemical properties in comparison with ProRoot MTA (Dentsply, Tulsa Dental, Johnson City, TN, USA) and MTA Angelus (Angelus, Londrina, Brazil). Methodology The three materials were mixed according to manufacturer's instructions. Specimens 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm high were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis after 1‐day and 28‐day storage in physiological solution. Calcium ion leaching in solution and pH of the elution were also assessed. Furthermore, the setting time, radiopacity and material porosity were investigated. Statistical analysis was performed by anova and Tukey's post hoc tests. Results All the MTAs tested were composed primarily of tricalcium silicate and bismuth oxide. In addition, MM‐MTA exhibited additional peaks for chlorine evident in the EDS analysis; calcium carbonate was present in the set material detected by XRD. Calcium hydroxide was present in the set ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus. Calcium ion leaching and alkalization of the storage solution were demonstrated in all the materials. Both MM‐MTA and MTA Angelus had a shorter setting time when compared to ProRoot MTA (P