Effect of various radiopacifiers on selected physical properties and cytotoxicity of calcium silicate based dental cement enriched with hydroxyapatite

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of ZrO2, Bi2O3 and SrF2 added as radiopacifying agents (30wt.%) into calcium silicate/hydroxyapatite-based dental cement on its physical and biological properties. Among investigated cements, the mixture containing Bi2O3 had the highest values of elastic modules and toughness, similarly to control – mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). SEM analysis of all hydrated cements has shown that bioactive calcite and tobermorite phases were formed. Crystal violet assay showed that pure (undiluted) extracts of experimental cements did not affect cell viability, while MTA exhibited an extremely cytotoxic effect on L929 cells. In 1:4 dilutions all experimental mixtures significantly increased cell proliferation potential after 72h in comparison to untreated cells and MTA, which cytotoxic effect diminished with dilutions. Further studies are needed to determine which radiopacifyer has the most desirable properties for adequate dental cement fabrication.