Physical properties, marginal adaptation and bioactivity of an experimental mineral trioxide aggregate-like cement modified with bioactive materials

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of adding wollastonite and bioactive glass to an experimental mineral trioxide aggregate-like cement (MTA) on the dimensional stability, compressive strength, solubility, bioactivity, and marginal adaptation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).Methods: Four groups were evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 days: MTA Angelus, experimental MTA-like cement (MTA Exp), BG10 (MTA Exp+10 wt% bioactive glass), and WO20 (MTA Exp+20 wt% wollastonite). To evaluate marginal adaptation, extracted teeth were endodontically obturated and root-end cavities were prepared and filled with the tested materials.Results: Cements with bioactive materials showed minimal dimensional changes. Adding wollastonite or bioactive glass to MTA Exp reduces the compressive strength but does not affect solubility. Bismite (Bi2O3), larnite (Ca2SiO4), calcite (CaCO3) and carbonated hydroxyapatite (Ca5[PO4,CO3]3[OH]) were identified in the four cements; ettringite (Ca6Al2[SO4]3[OH]12·26H2O) and bismutite ([BiO]2CO3) were only observed in MTA Exp, BG10, and WO20. Cement-dentin interfaces were not observed after 14 days on the BG10 and WO20 cement composites due to the ettringite formation.Conclusion: Acicular growing crystals typical of hydroxyapatite were found on the surfaces of all cements. An improved marginal adaptation was observed with the addition of wollastonite or bioactive glass.