EFFECT OF ADDING PHYTIC ACID ON SETTING TIME AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF MTA CEMENT VERSUS UNMODIFIED MTA: AN IN VITRO STUDY

Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of Phytic acid addition to MTA on its setting time and compressive strength.Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty-three discs of different mixtures of phytic acid and MTA were prepared and divided into three main groups (51 each). For each group, the following was measured: cell viability assay (n=3), bioactivity on three time intervals of 7, 14, and 28 days (n=3), calcium ion release at the same intervals of 7, 14, and 28 days (n=3 ), setting time (n=10), and compressive strength on two time intervals of 1 day and 7 days (n=10).Results: The results showed that 2.5% aqueous solution of phytic acid showed higher cell viability. However, 5% phytic acid showed higher calcium ion release and more bioactivity. The results also demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the setting time of the control group and 2.5% and 5% aqueous solutions of phytic acid (p<0.001), with the control group exhibiting the highest mean and the 2.5% aqueous solution of phytic acid showing the lowest. Also, the compressive strength showed a statistically significant difference between the three test groups at the two time intervals. The highest compressive strength was found in the control group, while the 2.5% aqueous solution of phytic acid group showed the lowest.Conclusions: Phytic acid had a great effect on shortening the setting time of MTA; however, there was an inverse effect on the compressive strength of MTA.