Evaluation of cytotoxicity and physicochemical properties of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer MTA Fillapex

J Endod. 2013 Feb;39(2):274-7. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2012.06.030. Epub 2012 Aug 9.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, radiopacity, pH, and flow of a calcium silicate-based and an epoxy resin-based endodontic sealer, MTA Fillapex (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil) and AH Plus (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany), respectively.

Methods: Cytotoxicity, radiopacity, and flow evaluation were performed following ISO requirements. The pH level was measured at periods of 3, 24, 72, and 168 hours. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay to check the Balb/c 3T3 cells viability at 1- to 4-week periods. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and the Tukey test with a significance level of 5%.

Results: In all tested periods, MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than AH Plus (P < .05). Although AH Plus presented higher radiopacity than MTA Fillapex (P < .05), both sealers showed minimum required values. MTA Fillapex presented alkaline pH in all experimental times, whereas AH Plus cement showed a slightly neutral pH and a flow significantly lower than that of MTA Fillapex (P < .05).

Conclusions: Although MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than AH Plus, it showed suitable physicochemical properties for an endodontic sealer.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • Aluminum Compounds / chemistry
  • Aluminum Compounds / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Calcium Compounds / chemistry
  • Calcium Compounds / toxicity*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Coloring Agents
  • Contrast Media / chemistry
  • Drug Combinations
  • Epoxy Resins / chemistry
  • Epoxy Resins / toxicity*
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Materials Testing
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oxides / chemistry
  • Oxides / toxicity*
  • Rheology
  • Root Canal Filling Materials / chemistry
  • Root Canal Filling Materials / toxicity*
  • Silicates / chemistry
  • Silicates / toxicity*
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Aluminum Compounds
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Coloring Agents
  • Contrast Media
  • Drug Combinations
  • Epoxy Resins
  • Oxides
  • Root Canal Filling Materials
  • Silicates
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Thiazoles
  • epoxy resin-based root canal sealer
  • mineral trioxide aggregate
  • thiazolyl blue