Enhancing the Physical Properties of Calcium Silicate Cement Modified with Elastin-like Polypeptides and Bioactive Glass

Conventional calcium silicate cement (CSC) formulations often exhibit insufficient mechanical strength and low initial stability. This study aimed to develop an organic-inorganic hybrid biomaterial by incorporating an elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) (V125E8) and bioactive glass (BG) (63S) into CSC to improve its mechanical properties and wash-out resistance during the initial setting. Experimental groups included ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Sirona, USA) as a control (0BG), inorganic hybrids containing BG (2% or 5%; 2BG, 5BG), and organic-inorganic hybrids combining BG (2% or 5%; 2BG-L, 5BG-L) with a 10 wt% ELP solution. The compressive strength, microhardness, and wash-out resistance of the specimens were evaluated. The organic-inorganic hybrid groups (2BG-L and 5BG-L) exhibited significantly higher compressive strength and microhardness than the control (0BG) and inorganic-only groups (2BG and 5BG). Additionally, the incorporation of ELP markedly improved wash-out resistance, minimizing material disintegration during the initial setting in aqueous environments. The organic-inorganic hybrid groups (2BG-L and 5BG-L) exhibited significantly higher compressive strength and microhardness than the control (0BG) and inorganic-only groups (2BG and 5BG). Additionally, the incorporation of ELP markedly improved wash-out resistance, minimizing material disintegration during the initial setting in aqueous environments.