bioactivity of newly introduced dual-cured resin-modified calcium silicate cement.

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to investigate the bioactivity of a new dual cured calcium silicate cement (TheraCal PT) compared to its light cured (TheraCal LC) and chemically set (Biodentine) counterparts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study is an original research article. Prepared cements discs were immersed in deionized water. Ca+ release was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry while pH was assessed using a pH meter after 1, 14, and 28 days. Discs for surface characterization were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and were examined using an environmental scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (ESEM/EDX), immediately after setting and at 1, 14, and 28 days intervals after that. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR)/Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy analyses were performed after setting and after 28 days storage in PBS. Statistical analysis was performed using the two-way repeated measure analysis of variance test followed by Bonferroni test for multiple comparisons ( < 0.05).

RESULTS

Biodentine exhibited the highest mean values for Ca+ release (792,639,278 ppm) and pH (10.99, 12.7, 11.54) at all time intervals. ESEM/EDX displayed a continuous layer of calcium phosphate formed by Biodentine and TheraCal LC while TheraCal PT developed scarce interrupted precipitates after immersion in PBS. ATR/FTIR and Raman spectroscopy for the formed precipitates confirmed the presence of phosphate and Ca (OH) in Biodentine, TheraCal LC and TheraCal PT.

CONCLUSION

TheraCal PT exhibited limited bioactivity which may limit its prognosis in clinical applications for vital pulp therapy. TheraCal LC is considered a potential bioactive calcium silicate cement despite its lower Ca+ release compared to Biodentine. Highest bioactivity was observed in Biodentine.