This study aimed to evaluate the effects on bone repair of different concentrations of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) added to AH Plus.

Bone tissue reactions were evaluated in 30 rats (Rattus norvegicus) after 7 and 30 days. In the AH + MTA10, AH + MTA20, and AH + MTA30 groups, defects in the tibiae were filled with AH Plus with MTA in proportions of 10%, 20% and 30%, respectively; in the MTA-FILL group, MTA Fillapex was used; and in the control group, no sealer was used. The samples were histologically analyzed to assess bone union and maturation. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were performed for multiple pairwise comparisons (p ≤ 0.05).

At the 7-day time point, AH + MTA10 was superior to MTA-FILL with respect to bone union, and AH + MTA20 was superior to MTA-FILL with respect to bone maturity (p < 0.05). At the 30-day time point, both the AH + MTA10 and AH + MTA20 experimental sealers were superior not only to MTA-FILL, but also to AH + MTA30 with respect to both parameters (p < 0.05). The results of the AH + MTA10 and AH + MTA20 groups were superior to those of the control group for both parameters and experimental time points (p < 0.05).

The results suggest the potential benefit of using a combination of these materials in situations requiring bone repair.

It is known that bioactive materials interact with the dentin to undergo biomineralization. The exact role of moisture in this interaction is unknown. Here, we investigate the effects of dentin moisture conditions on the dislocation resistance of two bioactive root canal sealers (MTA Fillapex [Angelus Solucoes Odontologicas] and GuttaFlow BioSeal [Colténe/Whaledent AG]) at 3 weeks and 3 months after obturation.

Mandibular premolars (n = 120) were prepared and randomly divided into 3 groups based on the dentin condition: group 1, dry dentin; group 2, moist dentin; group 3, wet dentin. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups for root canal filling: MTA Fillapex and GuttaFlow BioSeal. Dislocation resistance was evaluated by measuring the push-out bond strength at 3 weeks and 3 months. Failure modes were examined under a stereomicroscope. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test with a significance level of 5%.

Moist dentin resulted in higher bond strength values for both materials at both time points. This was significantly higher than wet and dry dentin for both the sealers at the 3 months (p < 0.05), while at 3 weeks it was significant only for GuttaFlow Bioseal. The different moisture conditions demonstrated similar trends in their effects on the dislocation resistance of the 2 root canal sealers.

The dentin moisture conditions had a significant impact on its interaction with the bioactive materials tested. Maintaining moist dentin, but not dry or wet dentin, may be advantageous before the filling root canals with bioactive sealers.