Improvement of the Properties of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate by Mixing with Hydration Accelerators

Abstract

Introduction Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is used widely in endodontic therapy. This study examined the setting time, compressive strength, and pH of MTA mixed with several hydration accelerators (calcium chloride, low-dose citric acid, calcium lactate gluconate solution). Methods Group 1 (control) was obtained by mixing MTA with distilled water. In group 2, MTA containing 10% calcium chloride was mixed with distilled water. In group 3, MTA was mixed with 0.1% citric acid. In group 4, MTA was mixed with a calcium lactate gluconate solution. The setting time, compressive strength, and pH were examined. Results The setting time of MTA mixed with hydration accelerators was significantly shorter than that of MTA mixed with water ( P < .01). In particular, replacing distilled water with a calcium lactate gluconate solution provided a significant decrease in setting time. The compressive strengths of MTA mixed with hydration accelerators were significantly lower than that of MTA mixed with water ( P < .01), but those values increased with time. The pH of MTA mixed with hydration accelerators was significantly lower than that of MTA mixed with water ( P < .01) but stable at a high level (pH 11–12). Conclusions Hydration accelerators improved the setting time of MTA. Nevertheless, more study will be needed to improve MTA without impairing its preexisting advantages.