Physicochemical Basis of the Biologic Properties of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

This study characterized the interactions of mineral trioxide aggregate with a synthetic tissue fluid composed of a neutral phosphate buffer saline solution and root canal dentin in extracted human teeth using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Mineral trioxide aggregate exposed to synthetic tissue fluid at 37 degrees C released its metallic constituents and produced precipitates with a composition and structure similar to that of hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2-HA]. Endodontically prepared teeth filled with mineral trioxide aggregate and stored in synthetic tissue fluid at 37 degrees C for 2 months…