Physicochemical properties of silicate tricalcium-based cement for use as pulp capping or repair material

This study evaluated some physicochemical properties of an experimental tricalcium silicate-based cement (ETSC) indicated for use as pulp capping or endodontic repair material; Biodentine (BD) and White MTA-Angelus (MTA) cements served as comparators. Setting time, radiopacity, sorption, and solubility were determined according to ISO 6876/2012 and compressive strength according to ISO 9917-1/2019. pH and calcium ion release capacity were also assessed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests or Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests with α = 0.05. BD (15') and ETSC (17.3') exhibited the shortest initial setting times, with BD (29') having the shortest final setting time; MTA showed longer times in both analyses (p < 0.05). ETSC and MTA showed the highest radiopacity (6.1 mm Al and 5.7 mm Al), while BD showed the lowest (3.0 mm Al) (p < 0.05). BD exhibited the highest compressive strength (88.8 MPa), significantly higher than the others (p < 0.05). BD presented the lowest values for sorption, 0.12% (24 h) and 0.48% (28 d), which differed significantly from MTA (p < 0.05). The lowest values for solubility were shown for ETSC, 0.26% (24 h), and BD, 0.52% (28 d), which differed significantly from MTA (p<0.05). ETSC showed the highest pH throughout all periods; significant differences were observed for MTA (3 h) and BD (24 h) (p<0.05). In the Ca2+ analysis, BD provided the highest values in all periods; differences were only significant compared to MTA (3h/24h) (p <0 .05). Considering the study conditions, it can be concluded that ETSC exhibited characteristics similar or better properties than the commercial cements tested, except for compressive strength.