Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Calcium Aluminate Cement-based Sealers

This study's aim was to evaluate the physicochemical and biological properties of two calcium aluminate cement sealers, EndoCeramic (EC), and a prototype molybdenum-containing sealer (PS), compared to EndoSequence BC (BC) and AH Plus (AHP).

Setting time, radiopacity, flow, solubility, calcium ion release, and pH were evaluated following ISO 6876 guidelines. Antibacterial effect was tested against E. faecalis. Sealer cytotoxicity was tested using XTT cell viability assay. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc tests (P < .05).

EC and PS set significantly faster than AHP and BC. BC was significantly less radiopaque than AHP and EC, with no significant radiopacity differences among the other sealers. AHP was significantly more flowable compared to PS and EC; there was no significant difference between PS, EC, and BC. In water, EC and BC were significantly more soluble than AHP, and PS was significantly less soluble than both EC and BC. PS was significantly more soluble in PBS than in water. BC released significantly more calcium than EC, PS, and AHP. EC and PS had lower pH compared to both AHP and BC with no significant difference in pH between EC and PS. BC maintained the highest pH overall. All sealers eliminated E. faecalis after 24h of contact. No significant differences were observed between sealer-treated human periodontal ligament cells and negative control, with all sealers displaying low cytotoxicity.

Calcium aluminate cement sealers demonstrate acceptable physical, antibacterial, and cytological properties but do not adequately release calcium ions or maintain an alkaline pH.