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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Accessing the Cytotoxicity and Cell Response to Biomaterials
Published on: July 8, 2021
Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Effects of a New Fast-Set MTA
Michelle Shin1, Jung-Wei Chen1, Chi-Yang Tsai2
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
Abstract:
Purpose. To compare the biocompatibility and antimicrobial effectiveness of the new Fast-Set MTA (FS-MTA) with ProRoot MTA (RS-MTA). Methods. The agar overlay method with neutral red dye was used. L929 mouse fibroblast cells were cultured. The liquid and oil extracts and solid test material were placed on the agar overlay, four samples for each material. Phenol was used as the positive control and cottonseed oil and MEM extracts were used as negative controls. Cytotoxicity was examined by measuring the zones of decolorization and evaluating cell lysis under an inverted microscope using the established criteria after 24 and 48 hours. The antimicrobial test was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method against S. mutans, E. faecalis, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia. The size of the zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters. Results. There was no zone of decolorization seen under or around the test materials for FS-MTA and RS-MTA at 24 and 48 hours. The antimicrobial test demonstrated no inhibitory effect of FS-MTA or RS-MTA on any bacterial species after 24 and 48 hours. Conclusions. There was no cytotoxicity or bacterial inhibition observed by the new Fast-Set MTA when compared to the ProRoot MTA after setting.
Insights
The new Fast-Set MTA (FS-MTA) shows no cytotoxicity or antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria, similar to ProRoot MTA (RS-MTA). Both materials demonstrated comparable biocompatibility and lack of bacterial inhibition in this study.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Materials
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is widely used in endodontics.
- Evaluating new MTA formulations for safety and efficacy is crucial.
- Fast-Set MTA (FS-MTA) is a novel formulation requiring comparative assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the biocompatibility of FS-MTA with ProRoot MTA (RS-MTA).
- To evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of FS-MTA against common oral bacteria.
- To determine if FS-MTA exhibits cytotoxic effects.
Main Methods:
- Agar overlay method with neutral red dye for cytotoxicity assessment using L929 mouse fibroblast cells.
- Analysis of liquid, oil, and solid extracts of FS-MTA and RS-MTA.
- Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method to test antimicrobial activity against *S. mutans*, *E. faecalis*, *F. nucleatum*, *P. gingivalis*, and *P. intermedia*.
Main Results:
- No zones of decolorization or cell lysis were observed for either FS-MTA or RS-MTA, indicating no cytotoxicity.
- Neither FS-MTA nor RS-MTA demonstrated any inhibitory effect on the growth of the tested bacterial species.
- Both materials exhibited similar biocompatibility profiles in vitro.
Conclusions:
- The new Fast-Set MTA (FS-MTA) is biocompatible and exhibits no cytotoxic effects.
- FS-MTA does not possess antimicrobial properties against the tested oral bacteria.
- FS-MTA demonstrates comparable biocompatibility and lack of antimicrobial activity to ProRoot MTA (RS-MTA).
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