Bio-active cements-Mineral Trioxide Aggregate based calcium silicate materials: a narrative review

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Dentistry

Background:

• The development of bioactive dental materials has significantly advanced endodontic treatment outcomes.
• There has been a sustained focus over the past three decades on creating materials that interact with and stimulate dental tissues for regeneration.
• Calcium silicate-based materials, also known as Calcium Silicate materials, are central to this field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the various types of bioactive materials used in endodontics.
• To discuss their composition, setting mechanisms, and documented applications.
• To highlight advancements beyond early materials like Mineral Tri-oxide Aggregate.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on bioactive endodontic materials.
• Analysis of material composition and setting properties.
• Evaluation of clinical evidence for applications such as pulp capping, pulpotomy, and root repair.

Main Results:

• Mineral Tri-oxide Aggregate was an early bioactive material, but had drawbacks like discoloration and long setting times.
• Newer materials such as Biodentine, BioAggregate, Endosequence, and Calcium-Enriched Mixture have been developed with improved characteristics.
• These materials are effective in diverse applications including direct/indirect pulp capping, pulpotomy, perforation repair, and as root-end filling materials.

Conclusions:

• Bioactive calcium silicate materials represent a significant advancement in endodontic therapy.
• Ongoing development has led to materials with enhanced properties and broader clinical utility.
• These materials play a crucial role in promoting pulpal and periradicular tissue regeneration.