Elsevier

Journal of Endodontics

Volume 38, Issue 4, April 2012, Pages 495-500
Journal of Endodontics

Basic Research
Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Root Canal Sealers Based on Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2011.11.003Get rights and content

Abstract

Introduction

MTA has good biological properties, and it is a mineralization-inducing material with different indications in endodontics. Initially this material was not recommended as root canal sealer. However, a resin sealer based on mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA Fillapex) was recently released with this indication. Because MTA is in contact with the periodontal tissues, bone, and pulp, it is important to know its cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of MTA canal sealer (Fillapex) compared with white MTA cement and AH Plus.

Methods

Chinese hamster fibroblasts (V79) were placed in contact with different dilutions of culture media previously exposed to such materials. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by methol-thiazol-diphenyl tetrazolium assay in spectrophotometer to check the viability rate and cell survival. The genotoxicity was accessed by the micronucleus formation assay. Cell survival rate and micronuclei number were assessed before and after exposure to cement extracts, and the results were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (P < .05).

Results

The results showed that the cell viability remained above 50% in white MTA group for all dilutions. AH Plus induced an intermediate cytotoxicity in a dilution-dependent manner, followed by Fillapex MTA.

Conclusions

White MTA group was the less cytotoxic material in this study. Both AH Plus and Fillapex MTA sealer showed the lowest cell viability rates and caused an increased micronucleus formation when compared with control untreated group.

Section snippets

Preparation of Extracts

The following materials were used: white MTA (MTA Branco; Angelus), MTA Fillapex (Angelus), and AH Plus (Dentsply). The main components list of tested material is shown in Table 1. The sealer samples were prepared in 24-well plates (16.2 mm in diameter, 2 mm high), and they were incubated at 37°C for 12, 48, or 72 hours immediately after mixing. Specimens were then covered with 2.5 mL cell culture Dulbecco modified Eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, penicillin, and

Cytotoxicity of Sealers

The results obtained from a spectrophotometer indicate the activity of cellular metabolism. They represent the inhibition of succinyl dehydrogenase activity, which is caused by the contact between cells and sealer extracts serially diluted to 1:1 (original extract), 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, and 1:32. The percentage of cell viability was considered optimal when the average value obtained was 50% or higher. It could be observed by the cell survival mean values that White MTA kept cell viability rates

Discussion

An MTA-based sealer (MTA Fillapex) was recently released to be used in root canal filling. However, when analyzing the chemical composition supplied by the manufacturer, it is worth emphasizing that this is a resin cement containing MTA. For that reason, it was expected that Fillapex MTA acted as a repairer.

In our study, the biocompatibility of MTA repairer (White MTA) and MTA sealer (Fillapex MTA) was assessed by the MTT cytotoxicity test that determines the number of viable cells as a

Conclusions

White MTA cement kept the rate of cell viability above 70% for all dilutions and all the assessed periods. MTA Fillapex sealer was cytotoxic at the dilutions 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:8 (12-hour group); it showed the highest cytotoxicity in this study. AH Plus was cytotoxic at the dilutions 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 (48-hour group). White MTA cement stimulated the lower rates of micronuclei formation, even in the highest dilution (1:1); MTA Fillapex and AH Plus stimulated the formation of micronuclei to

Acknowledgments

The authors deny any conflicts of interest related to this study.

References (34)

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This study was supported by CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil.

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