Evaluation of biocompatibility of mineral trioxide aggregate with an improved rabbit ear chamber

In the present study, the biocompatibility of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to the revascularization of the connective tissues was evaluated by using the improved rabbit ear chamber, in vivo. Twenty improved rabbit ear chamber was prepared from 12 male albino-rabbit by using a well through which a material could be introduced into the living vascular tissue. Ten chambers were provided for MTA, and the remaining 10 chambers were used for a calcium hydroxide-containing root canal sealer (Sealapex), as a comparator. A volume of about 1.5 mm(3) of the materials were inserted into the chamber and the interaction between the vascular tissue and materials was observed by using a biomicroscope immediately after application, at 1, 3, 5.5, 8, 24, 48, 72 h, and once a week up to 4 weeks. The results revealed that revascularization of connective tissue took place with complete recovery of microcirculation within 4 weeks in both MTA and Sealapex. However, the precipitate-barrier and brown zone around periphery of Sealapex was not observed in MTA treated samples. It can be concluded that MTA is biocompatible and does not produce any adverse site effect on microcirculation of the connective tissue.