Analysis of the physicochemical properties of ready for use and powder/liquid repair calcium silicate-based cements.

Aims: To evaluate volumetric change, pH, calcium release and radiopacity of calcium silicate-based repair cements: Endosequence RRM, Bio C Repair, MTA REPAIR HP, Ortho MTA and Ortho MTA plus 5% calcium oxide. Materials and methods: Fifty acrylic teeth had their retro cavities filled with cements accordingly with the groups (n=10). The acrylic teeth were fixed in plastic containers and the apexes were kept in 10 mL of ultrapure water. Then, a Micro-CT 1174 scanning were performed to evaluate the volumetric change of the materials. The images were reconstructed, and the volume change of the materials were measured. The pH level and calcium ions released from the fifty samples were evaluated using the ultrapure water of the plastic container in 3, 24, 72, and 168 h. For radiopacity analysis, 2 cylindrical samples of each cement were produced using a rubber ring measuring 5 mm in diameter and 1 mm thick and were placed on occlusal films together with an aluminum scale. The radiographs were digitalized and the radiographic density was assessed. Data were statistically analyzed by the ANOVA, Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis, and Dunn tests. Results: Endosequence RRM and MTA HP presented the lowest volumetric change in all periods with no significant difference (P>0.05). Bio C Repair and Ortho MTA presented similar values in all periods (P>0.05). Endosequence RRM presented the highest radiopacity (P<0.05). All materials presented calcium release and alkalinization capacity. Conclusions: Bio C Repair showed the highest solubility values, while MTA Repair HP the lowest volumetrically change. All cements presented radiopacity values above the minimum required by the ISO standard. Also, the “ready for use” and powder/liquid cements had calcium release and alkalinization capacity.