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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials
Published on: July 8, 2021
A comparative study of the bioactivity of three materials for dental applications
Jesper Lööf1, Fredrik Svahn, Tobias Jarmar
1Department of Materials Science, Angstrom Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. jesper.loof@doxa.se
Objectives:
The aim of this work was to investigate the in vitro bioactivity of two different experimental dental luting cement formulations based on calcium aluminate (CA) in comparison with glass ionomer cement (GIC). One of the CA-based formulations was a hybrid between CA and GIC.
Methods:
Samples were submerged in phosphate buffered saline and stored at 37 degrees C for four periods of time: 1 h, 1 day, 7 days and 4 weeks. After storage the samples were analyzed in order to investigate if a surface layer of hydroxyapatite had formed. The analysis techniques used included grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.
Results:
Both the CA-containing formulations were found to be bioactive. The highest degree of bioactivity was found on the sample with only CA as active substance. A relatively thick and totally covering layer was already formed after 24 h. On the hybrid material hydroxyapatite was found after 7 days. The GIC showed no bioactivity during the test period.
Significance:
The utilization of a bioactive material for tooth restorations will give an opportunity for remineralization and a natural and durable seal of the tooth-material interface. Materials based on CA exhibit bioactivity.
