Evaluation of the Ca ion release, pH and surface apatite formation of a prototype tricalcium silicate cement

Aim To evaluate the Ca2+‐releasing, alkalizing and apatite‐like surface precipitate‐forming abilities of a prototype tricalcium silicate cement, which was mainly composed of synthetically prepared tricalcium silicate and zirconium oxide radiopacifier. Methodology The prototype tricalcium silicate cement, white ProRoot MTA (WMTA) and TheraCal LC (a light‐cured resin‐modified calcium silicate‐filled material) were examined. The chemical compositions were analysed with a wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy electron probe microanalyser with an image observation function (SEM‐EPMA). The pH and Ca2+ concentrations of water in which the set materials had been immersed were measured, and the latter was assessed with the EDTA titration method. The surface precipitates formed on the materials immersed in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) were analysed with SEM‐EPMA and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Kruskal–Wallis tests followed by Mann–Whitney U‐test with Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). Results The prototype cement contained Ca, Si and Zr as major elemental constituents, whereas it did not contain some metal elements that were detected in the other materials. The Ca2+ concentrations and pH of the immersion water samples exhibited the following order: WMTA = prototype cement > TheraCal LC (P