This study aimed to evaluate the osteogenic activity of Endosequence Root Repair Material (ERRM) putty using rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The extract of set ERRM and ProRoot-mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) (control) was cocultured with rat MSCs and incubated for one, three, and seven days. The cell viability and proliferation were assessed. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin gene expression was performed. Both materials enhanced cell viability and proliferation, which increased over time. On day seven, the cells treated with either material exhibited significantly greater cell viability compared with control untreated cells. MSCs treated with either material showed deeper alkaline phosphatase staining after three days compared to control untreated cells. Treated MSCs also exhibited upregulation of the gene expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2, alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin. Both ERRM and ProRoot-MTA enhance the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.

This study aimed to analyse the effect of using phosphate buffer solution (PBS) on the solubility, pH changes, surface structure, and elemental composition of a new bioceramic Cerafill sealer compared with Endosequence sealer and AH26 resin-based sealer. A fresh mixture of each sealer moistened with either deionised water or PBS was subjected to a setting time test. Set discs (n = 10) were submerged in either deionised water or PBS to evaluate pH changes and solubility at 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Surface characterisation of the sealers was done before and after solubility tests using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses. An analysis of variance revealed a significant delay in setting of BC-Endosequence (P < .001) with no significant difference when each sealer was moistened with deionised water or PBS (P > .05). Both bioceramic sealers exhibited highly alkaline pH (range, 9.47-10.72). When the sealer was submerged in deionised water, Endosequence exhibited significantly greater solubility, whilst Cerafill and AH26 gained weight. When the sealers were submerged in PBS, both bioceramic sealers gained more weight, with significantly greater values for Endosequence (P < .001). Hydroxyapatite formation was revealed by SEM/EDX and FTIR. PBS promoted the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals that protect the bioceramic sealers from dissolving.

This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and the effect of solubility on the surface morphology and composition of the root canal sealers MTA-Bioseal, MTA-Fillapex, and Adseal. Discs (n = 10) of freshly mixed sealer were prepared and then analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). The discs were immersed for 1, 7, 14, and 28 days in deionized water. The solubility %; pH change of the solution; and released calcium, phosphate, and silicon were measured for each period. The flowability and film thickness were also evaluated. Changes in the surface morphology and composition after 28 days of immersion were evaluated by SEM/EDX. The data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA at p < 0.05. The FTIR and EDX results revealed similar compositions of MTA-Bioseal and MTA-Fillapex, but with different concentrations. The two MTA-based sealers had higher solution alkalinity (pH > 10) than Adseal (pH ≈ 8.5). MTA-Fillapex exhibited the highest solubility % and the largest calcium and silicon ion release. MTA-Bioseal had the highest phosphate ion release. After 28 days, the sealer surfaces showed large micropores, with larger pores in MTA-Fillapex. Adseal had an intermediate flowability but exhibited the greatest film thickness. Finally, the highest solubility and largest amount of silicon release was exhibited by MTA-Fillapex, which might predispose it to the development of large micropores, compromising the apical seal of obturation.

Objectives. To analyse the chemistry and bioactivity of NeoMTA Plus in comparison with the conventional root repair materials. Method and Materials. Unhydrated and hydrated (initial and final sets) materials were analysed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). For bioactivity study, small holes of dentin discs were filled with either materials, immersed in PBS for 15 days, and analysed with FTIR and scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX). The calculation of crystallinity and carbonate/phosphate (CO₃/PO₄) ratio of surface precipitates (from FTIR) and calcium/phosphate (Ca/P) ratio (from EDX) was statistically analysed using t-test or ANOVA, respectively, at 0.05 significance. Results. Both materials are tricalcium silicate-based that finally react to be calcium silicate hydrate. NeoMTA Plus has relatively high aluminium and sulfur content, with tantalum oxide as an opacifier instead of zirconium oxide in MTA Angelus. NeoMTA Plus showed better apatite formation, higher crystallinity and Ca/P but lower CO₃/PO₄ ratio than MTA Angelus. SEM showed globular structure with a small particle size in NeoMTA Plus while spherical structure with large particle size in MTA Angelus. Conclusion. Due to fast setting, higher crystallinity, and better bioactivity of NeoMTA Plus, it can be used as a pulp and root repair material.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate setting reaction and the time of three bioceramics (Endosequence, iRoot-SP, and Smartpastebio) compared with glass ionomer (ActiV-GP) root canal sealers. Materials and methods: Setting reaction was tested using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction; setting time was measured using a Vicat needle. Results: Three-bioceramic sealers composed of calcium hydroxide, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, silicon oxide, and zirconium oxide. During their setting, calcite and calcium phosphate silicate were detected. Their setting took longer time than ActiV-GP that have aluminum polyacrylate and calcium phosphate silicate in set mass. Conclusions: Bioceramic sealers took longer time to set than expected.

This study aimed to evaluate the morphology and chemistry of an apatite layer induced by fast-set versus regular-set EndoSequence root repair materials using spectroscopic analysis. Holes of a 4 mm diameter were created in the root canal dentin, which were filled with the test material. Fetal calf serum was used as the incubation medium, and the samples incubated in deionized water were used as controls. The material-surface and material-dentin interfaces were analyzed after 28 days using Raman and infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray diffraction. After incubation in fetal calf serum, both materials formed a uniform layer of calcium phosphate precipitate on their surfaces, with the dentinal interface. This precipitated layer was a combination of hydroxyapatite and calcite or aragonite, and had a high mineral maturity with the regular-set paste. However, its crystallinity index was high with the fast-set putty. Typically, both consistencies (putty and paste) of root repair material have an apatite formation ability when they are incubated in fetal calf serum. This property could be beneficial in improving their sealing ability for root canal dentin.