Synthesis of silver-containing calcium aluminate particles and their effects on a MTA-based endodontic sealer

• Published in: Dental materials Vol. 34; no. 8; pp. e214 - e223
• Main Authors: Almeida, Luiza Helena S., Moraes, Rafael R., Morgental, Renata D., Cava, Sérgio S., Rosa, Wellington Luiz O., Rodrigues, Patrícia, Ribeiro, Anderson S., Só, Marcus, Pappen, Fernanda G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.08.2018
• Subjects: Aluminum Compounds - chemical synthesis; Aluminum Compounds - chemistry; Antibiofilm; Biofilms - drug effects; Calcium aluminate; Calcium aluminate and silver; Calcium Compounds - chemical synthesis; Calcium Compounds - chemistry; Calcium ions release; Dentistry; Drug Combinations; Epoxy Resins - chemistry; Flow; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Materials Testing; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oxides - chemistry; Particle Size; Radiopacity; Root Canal Filling Materials - chemical synthesis; Root canal sealers; Silicates - chemistry; Silver - chemistry; Silver ion release; Solubility; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; X-Ray Diffraction; Antibiofilm; Radiopacity; pH; Root canal sealers; Silver ion release; Calcium aluminate; Calcium aluminate and silver; Calcium ions release; Flow
• ISSN: 0109-5641; 1879-0097
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2018.05.011

•Calcium aluminate particles were successfully synthesized containing Ag or not.•The presence of Ag interfered with the particle morphology.•The antibiofilm effect of an MTA-based sealer modified with the synthesized particles was improved.•The physicochemical properties of the MTA-based sealer were not drastically changed.•Biofilm inhibition was less than expected for the presence of Ag in the calcium aluminate particles. To synthetize calcium aluminate (C3A) and silver-containing C3A particles (C3A+Ag) testing their effects on the properties of a MTA-based endodontic sealer in comparison to an epoxy resin- and a calcium silicate-based sealer. Pure C3A and C3A+Ag particles were synthesized by a chemical method and characterized using XRD to identify crystalline phases. SEM/EDS analysis investigated morphology, particle size, and elemental composition of particles. Setting time, flow, radiopacity, water sorption and solubility of commercial and modified sealers were evaluated according to ISO 6876/2012. The pH and ions release were measured using a pHmeter and a microwave induced plasma optical emission spectrometer. The inhibition of biofilm growth was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were rank transformed and analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (P<0.05). The C3A particles showed an irregular grain agglomerated structure with voids and pores. In C3A+Ag particles, Ag modified the material morphology, confirming the deposition of Ag. The physicochemical properties of the modified MTA-based sealer were similar to the commercial material, except for the significant increase in Ca+2 release. However, there was no Ag release. Setting time, flow, radiopacity, water sorption and solubility were adequate for all materials. All the materials showed alkaline pH. Antibiofilm effect was improved in the presence of C3A particles, while the biofilm inhibition was lower in the presence of Ag. The modified sealer presented improved antibiofilm properties and calcium release, without dramatic effects on the other characteristics. It is expected a positive effect in its antimicrobial behavior.