Hydration Characterization of Two Generations of MTA-Based Root Canal Sealers

Abstract

Since the setting characterization of a root canal sealer has an impact on its biological behavior of final obturation, this study evaluated the setting characterization of mineral trioxide aggregate MTA-Fillapex versus MTA-Bioseal compared with epoxy resin (Adseal) root canal sealers. Freshly mixed sealer was inserted into the mold (n = 10). The initial and final setting times were evaluated using a Vicat needle and were then statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA at p p < 0.001. The MTA-Fillapex did not set completely in three months. The FTIR and XRD of both MTA-Bioseal and Adseal detected bands of the polymerized phases, while those of MTA-Fillapex detected partial polymerization with a low percentage of polymerized silica. MTA-Bioseal and Adseal met the ISO standards for setting times. However, MTA-Fillapex did not fulfill the ideal requirement for the sealer. Although the raw pastes of both MTA-sealers had nearly similar compositions, they behaved differently during the hydration reaction. MTA-Bioseal set completely, while MTA-Fillapex was not completely set.

Keywords

• MTA-based root canal sealer
• setting time
• setting characterization
• FTIR
• XRD