Bioceramic materials in endodontics

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been recommended for various uses in endodontics. Two previous publications provided a comprehensive list of articles from November 1993-September 2009 regarding the chemical and physical properties, sealing ability, antibacterial activity, leakage, and biocompatibility of MTA. The purpose of Part III of this literature review is to present a comprehensive list of articles regarding animal studies, clinical applications, drawbacks, and mechanism of action of MTA. A review of the literature was performed by using electronic and hand-searching methods for the clinical applications of MTA in experimental animals and humans as well as its drawbacks and mechanism of action from November 1993-September 2009. MTA is a promising material for root-end filling, perforation repair, vital pulp therapy, and apical barrier formation for teeth with necrotic pulps and open apexes. Despite the presence of numerous case reports and case series regarding these applications, there are few designed research studies regarding clinical applications of this material. MTA has some known drawbacks such as a long setting time, high cost, and potential of discoloration. Hydroxyapatite crystals form over MTA when it comes in contact with tissue synthetic fluid. This can act as a nidus for the formation of calcified structures after the use of this material in endodontic treatments. On the basis of available information, it appears that MTA is the material of choice for some clinical applications. More clinical studies are needed to confirm its efficacy compared with other materials. Copyright (c) 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.

This in vitro study used rhodamine B fluorescent dye and a confocal microscope to evaluate the sealing ability of amalgam, super EBA, and a mineral trioxide aggregate when used as root end filling materials. Thirty single-canal teeth were cleaned, shaped, and obturated with gutta-percha and root canal sealer. After application of nail polish to the external surface, the apical 3 mm of each root was resected and 3-mm deep root end preparations were made. The roots were randomly divided into three groups and the root end preparations filled with the experimental materials. All roots were then exposed to an aqueous solution of rhodamine B fluorescent dye for 24 h, longitudinally sectioned, and the extent of dye penetration measured using a confocal microscope. Statistical analysis showed that the mineral trioxide aggregate leaked significantly less than amalgam and super EBA.

This study sought to clarify the mechanisms that enable E. faecalis to survive the high pH of calcium hydroxide. E. faecalis strain JH2-2 was exposed to sublethal concentrations of calcium hydroxide, with and without various pretreatments. Blocking agents were added to determine the role of stress-induced protein synthesis and the cell wall-associated proton pump. E. faecalis was resistant to calcium hydroxide at a pH of 11.1, but not pH 11.5. Pre-treatment with calcium hydroxide pH 10.3 induced no tolerance to further exposure at pH 11.5. No difference in cell survival was observed when protein synthesis was blocked during stress induction, however, addition of a proton pump inhibitor resulted in a dramatic reduction of cell viability of E. faecalis in calcium hydroxide. Survival of E. faecalis in calcium hydroxide appears to be unrelated to stress induced protein synthesis, but a functioning proton pump is critical for survival of E. faecalis at high pH.