Desenvolvimento de um cimento endodôntico tendo como referência o agregado trióxido mineral

Abstract

n the 90s, a team from Loma Linda University (California - USA) has developed a new endodontic sealer called mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA acronym in English), which has become an alternative to other materials used in retrofillings such as : Super-EBA, cement, zinc oxide eugenol, MRI, gutta percha and silver amalgam. Later work showed that the MTA had similar composition to ordinary Portland cement plus a radiopacifier. This research project proposes a study of the influence of the addition of inorganic compounds on the properties of the Portland cement in order to allow its use as an endodontic sealer, similar to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). First, Portland cement type II-Z-CP 32 and two commercial sealers based on MTA were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. The results showed that the samples have similar composition except for the presence of bismuth in commercial materials. Bismuth, according to the literature, is the radiopacifier agent present in MTA-based sealers. Subsequently two additives were selected for further studies, these are the bismuth carbonate (Bi2(CO3)3) and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3). The properties investigated were: radiopacity, setting time and handle cement, changes in pH, solubility, diametrical compression and dimensional changes. The radiopacity, solubility, dimensional changes and setting time of the cement were determined in accordance with methods prescribed by ISO 6876:2001. Radiopacity tests were fundamental to the selection of materials to be studied in the later stages. For these tests, samples were prepared consisting of a mixture of Portland cement with the radiopacifiers in three different proportions (15%, 20%, 25%), based on the literature. Samples with 20% radiopacifier material were selected for further work. Comparing the results obtained in this study with literature data, it appears that Portland cement plus radiopacifier has similar properties to those of commercial sealers based MTA. This suggests the feasibility of its use as a less costly alternative compared to other materials commercialized.