Mechanical Properties of New Dental Pulp-Capping Materials
Mechanical Properties of New Dental Pulp-Capping Materials
Mechanical Properties of New Dental Pulp-Capping Materials
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Mechanical Properties of New Dental Pulp Capping Materials
Capt Matthew J. Nielsen
ABSTRACT
The mechanical properties of new pulp capping materials may affect their
resistance to fracture under load either during placement of a final restorative material
or while supporting an overlying restoration over time. Objective: The purpose of this
study was to evaluate the flexural strength/modulus and compressive strength of two
new pulp capping materials (TheraCal LC, Bisco; Biodentine, Septodont) compared to
mineral trioxide aggregate (ProRoot MTA, Dentsply), and calcium hydroxide (Dycal,
Dentsply) over time. Method: Ten specimens per group were formed as per
and in a 6mm long x 4mm diameter split mold for compressive strength testing.
Specimens were stored in darkness at 37°C and 98% humidity in a lab oven. After 15
minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours, specimens were tested to failure in a universal testing
machine (Instron). Flexural modulus was determined from the slope of the linear region
of the load-deflection curve. A mean and standard deviation was determined per group.
significant difference was found between groups based on material or time (p<0.007).
Conclusion: MTA did not set at 15 minutes. At all time periods, TheraCal LC had the
greatest flexural and compressive strength. After 3 and 24 hours, Biodentine had the
1
However, Biodentine was the least flexible after three hours for potentially greater
INTRODUCTION
A dental pulp can become exposed in two distict ways during a preparation for a
comes in contact with the dental pulp. A carious pulp exposure occurs when the pulp is
exposed with the removal of carious tooth structure. A direct pulp cap is a procedure in
which a medicament is placed directly over the exposed dental pulp, with the specific
aim of maintaining pulp vitality and health (Camp and Fuks, 2006; Hilton, 2009; Hilton
2013; Mente et al., 2010). At times, the provider might decide to leave residual affected
dentin to avoid a pulp exposure. It is common to place a pulp capping material over the
affected dentin. This type of pulp cap is known as an indirect pulp cap (Al-Zayer et
al.,2003). Ideally, the pulp capping material will promote pulpal healing and formation of
tertiary dentin while providing protection from further insult by bacteria or mechanical
forces (Thompson et al., 2008; Graham et al., 2006). Several pulp capping materials
are currently available for use in direct and indirect pulp capping situations that meet
these two criteria. Another desirable property for this type of material would be ease of
use by the practitioner. Calcium hydroxide and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) have
been used for pulp capping and have a successful clinical history (Hilton, 2009).
PA) and TheraCal (Bisco, Schaumburg, IL) have much more desirable handling
2
Calcium hydroxide is considered the “gold standard” in direct pulp capping
materials and has been used in dentistry since 1921 (Hilton, 2009). Calcium hydroxide
has antibacterial properties and promotes the formation of new tertiary dentin (Stuart et
at., 1991; Ribeiro et al., 2006). The antibacterial effects of calcium hydroxide has been
Calcium hydroxide has been shown to free Bone Morphogenic Proteins (BMPs) and
that these growth factors promote the formation of new dentin in the adjacent pulp
chamber (Graham et al., 2006). Two undesirable properties of calcium hydroxide are its
high water solubility and poor seal formation due to a lack of inherent adhesive qualities
(Hilton, 2009). It also has low compressive strength, potentially providing an inadequate
MTA was first used as a retrograde filling material in the early 1990’s and has
since been used in many situations where its biocompatible properties are
advantageous (Okiji and Yoshiba, 2009). MTA is a type I Portland cement with bismuth
oxide added in a 4:1 ratio (Camilleri, 2008). MTA forms reaction products in the
presence of water with the primary product being calcium hydroxide (Camilleri, 2008;
Hilton, 2009). MTA has the ability to induce new dentin formation and stimulate more
reparative dentin than calcium hydroxide (Witherspoon, 2008). MTA also has the ability
to provide a seal to tooth structure, allowing it to better protect the pulp from further
bacterial insult (Ferk Luketic et al., 2008). However, MTA also has some significant
3
disadvantages - it is water soluble, has a setting time of 2 to 3 hours (Islam et al., 2006),
and has a cost approximately 24 times that of calcium hydroxide (Hilton, 2009).
the components of MTA. It releases calcium hydroxide like MTA, but has a much faster
with the ability to be used as a provisional restoration for up to 6 months (Raskin et al.,
2012). The provisional restoration can be prepared and left in place as a base, sealing
off the direct or indirect pulp exposure (Koubi et al., 2013). The manufacturer suggests
waiting 48 hours before preparing and placing a permanent restoration. Biodentine has
a potential advantage over MTA due to its shorter setting time while reportedly providing
an ability to induce biomineralization (Zanini et al., 2012; Laurent et al., 2012). Also, the
light-curable resin formulation which contains mineral oxides and is marketed for direct
and indirect pulp capping. It is composed of a mineral material (type III Portland
(fumed silica) and resin (Bis-GMA and PEGDMA) (Suh et al., 2008). According to
Gandolfi and others (2012), TheraCal LC releases more calcium hydroxide and has a
lower solubility than either ProRoot MTA (Dentsply, Milford, DE), or Dycal (Dentsply).
Presumably this will make it a more convenient pulp capping material because it will
4
The flexural and compressive strength of pulp capping materials is an important
property when considering the forces that are applied during the placement and function
been published and found that its properties are time dependent. (Islam et al., 2006;
Camilleri, 2010). The manufacturer has shown the compressive strength of Biodentine
to be greater than that of MTA and flexural strength that is less than composite.
Because of their recent introduction into the market, the physical properties of
Biodentine and TheraCal have been studied by the manufacturers but not
of all four of these pulp capping materials. The purpose of this study was to compare
the mechanical properties of two new pulp capping materials with other commonly used
pulp capping materials. The null hypothesis tested was that there would be no
ProRoot MTA (Dentsply), and Dycal (Dentsply). Specimens from each the four different
types of pulp capping materials were evaluated using compressive strength and flexural
Compressive Strength
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To prepare each specimen, an aluminum mold (Sabri, Downers Grove, IL), 6mm
long and 4mm in diameter was placed on a plastic-strip-covered glass slide. Dycal and
ProRoot MTA were mixed according to the manufacturer’s directions and then
spatulated into the mold. Biodentine was triturated, placed into the mold with an
applicator tip provided by the manufacturer. The top surface of the mold was covered
with a second plastic strip and glass slide to ensure that the end of the specimen was
flat and parallel to the opposite surface of the mold. For Dycal, ProRoot MTA, and
Biodentine, the material was allowed to chemically set. For TheraCal LC, six, 1mm
Vivadent, Amherst, NY) for 20 seconds. The specimens were then removed from the
mold and the longitudinal ends were polymerized for 20 seconds each. The adequacy
of the irradiant output from the light was evaluated using a radiometer (Bluephase
Meter, Ivoclar Vivadent) and considered acceptable when greater than 1000mW/cm2.
The specimens were stored in darkness at 37°C and 98% humidity in a lab oven (Model
20GC, Quincy Labs, Chicago, IL). After 15 minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours, ten
specimens from every material and time interval were tested by placement on the
platens of a universal testing machine (Model 5943, Instron, Canton, MA) with exception
of the 15 minute ProRoot MTA sample which did not set in 15 minutes. The specimens
4F
compressive strength was determined from the equation
=
CS
d 2 where F is the
perpendicular loading force and d is the diameter (4mm) of the cylindrical rod.
6
Measurements were made using an electronic digital caliper (GA182, Grobet Vigor,
Carlstadt, NJ). The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each of the four
was placed on a plastic strip covered glass slide as before. Thirty rectangular
specimens per each of the four pulp capping materials were made by inserting the
materials into the mold (n=10) as described before. The top surface of the mold was
covered with a second plastic strip. For Dycal, ProRoot MTA, and Biodentine, the
material was allowed to set. For TheraCal LC, one side of the specimen was exposed
increments. Next, the mold was turned, and the opposite side of the specimen was
exposed to the light in a similar manner. Then, the specimens were removed from the
mold and stored as before. After 15 minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours, ten specimens
from every material and time interval were placed on a three-point bending test device,
which was constructed with a 20mm span length between the supporting rods. The
central load was applied with a head diameter of 2mm using the universal testing
3Fl
using the equation
FS
=
2bd 2 where F is the loading force at the fracture point, l is the
length of the support span (20mm), b is the width, and d is the depth of the specimens.
Measurements were made using an electronic digital caliper as before. The mean and
standard deviation was calculated for each of the four pulp capping materials. Flexural
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modulus was determined from the slope of the linear region of the load-deflection curve
used to determine if significant differences existed between the groups per property
based on pulp capping material (4 levels) and time (3 levels) at the 0.05 level of
significance.
RESULTS
Using the two-way ANOVA, significant differences were found between groups
based on material (p<0.001) and time (p<0.001) per test type, however, there were
significant interactions (p<0.01). The data was further analyzed with multiple one-way
ANOVAs and Tukey’s post hoc tests per property to evaluate the effect of material or
time. A Bonferroni correction was applied because multiple groups were compared
simultaneously (alpha = 0.007). MTA did not set at 15 minutes. A significant difference
was found between groups based on material or time (p<0.007). TheraCal LC had
significantly higher flexural strength and compressive strength compared to the other
pulp capping materials tested in all time periods. TheraCal LC had a significantly higher
flexural modulus at 15 minutes, but Biodentine had significantly higher flexural modulus
at 3 and 24 hours. Dycal, MTA, and Biodentine had a significant increase in properties
over time. With TheraCal LC, there was no significant difference in properties over
8
Flexural Strength MPa (st dev)
Time
Material 15 mins 3 hrs 24 hrs
Dycal 2.7 (0.5) Bb 4.9 (1.3) Ab 6.3 (1.7) Ac
MTA Did not set 1.1 (0.6) Bb 4.8 (3.5) Ac
Biodentine 0.6 (0.5) Bb 9.4 (5.0) Ab 13.4 (5.2) Ab
TheraCal LC 31.1 (9.2) Aa 41.2 (10.1) Aa 33.3 (6.5) Aa
Groups with the same upper case letter per row or lower case letter per column are
not significantly different (p>0.007).
DISCUSSION
The null hypothesis was rejected. Significant differences were found between
the different materials in all time periods. In this study, the materials were tested at 15
minutes, 3 hours, and 24 hours. A 15 minute time period was chosen to evaluate the
ability of these materials to be placed as a direct or indirect pulp cap during a restorative
procedure and then immediately have a permanent restorative material placed over it.
The 3 hour time period was selected because it is near the minimal time MTA requires
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to set according several studies (Torabinejad et al., 1995, Islam et al., 2006). The 24
hour time period was chosen to represent a setting time that is near the maximum for all
of the materials.
The physical properties that would enable the materials to be used as a base or
liner under a permanent restoration were evaluated. The ideal pulp capping material
would have a flexural modulus (17.5 GPa) and compressive strength (300 MPa) similar
to dentin (Plotino et al., 2007; Craig and Peyton, 1958), or the permanent restoration
that would be placed over it and set quickly enough that the final restoration could be
placed immediately.
more than 10x that of Dycal and Biodentine, MTA did not set. At 3 hours, the
Dycal and over 100x that of MTA. At 24 hours the compressive strength of TheraCal
LC was 2.5x that of Biodentine, 5x that of Dycal, and 17x that of MTA.
Ca(OH)2 has been considered the gold standard of pulp capping materials
(Baume and Holz, 1981). Unlike MTA-based materials, Ca(OH)2 induces tertiary dentin
through a process that leads to an area of necrosis between the Ca(OH)2 and the newly
product that contains Ca(OH)2. It is a self-cure formulation that has the disadvantage of
being very soluble (Prosser et al., 1982). It is possible to place a restorative material
immediately over Dycal, but there may be residual voids after it the material resorbs, (de
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MTA is marketed for multiple applications including pulp capping, pulpotomy,
apical barrier formation in teeth with open apices, repair of root perforations, and root
canal filling (Parirokh and Torabinejad, 2010). MTA has been shown clinically to induce
the formation of tertiary dentin (Tziafas et al., 2002). Compared to Ca(OH)2, MTA
induces a dentin bridge that forms faster and is more complete with greater structural
integrity (Faraco and Holland, 2001). MTA causes less inflammation, hyperemia, and
necrosis than Ca(OH)2, indicating its greater biocompatibility (Aeinehchi et al., 2003).
The setting time and the potential occurrence of tooth discoloration (Felman and
Parashos, 2013) along with its handling characteristics are less than ideal.
liner, or in bulk, and then subsequently reduced in volume. The manufacturer reports
the working time of Biodentine is 6 minutes with a final setting time of 10-12 minutes
(Septodont, 2009). In this study, after setting for 15 minutes, Biodentine achieved only
3.8% of its 3 hour compressive strength (33.9 MPa) and 6.5% of its 3 hour flexural
placed over Biodentine after setting for 12 minutes (Septodont, 2009). The setting
reaction continues for two weeks after the initial set (Pradelle-Plasse et al., 2009). The
findings in this study bring into question the ability of Biodentine to support an
immediate restoration. When mixing Biodentine, a triturator is used for 30 seconds until
amount of liquid accelerator added to the powder component and amount of trituration.
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When considering their ability to have a final restoration placed immediately over
them, the ability of TheraCal LC to be light cured gives it a significant advantage when
other light-cured resin-based materials, and achieves a high initial strength, allowing the
enables the practitioner to place the material with relative precision and ease due to its
thixotropic properties. The manufacturer markets the material to be used for direct and
and other base materials (www.bisco.com). Research has shown that TheraCal LC can
recommends that layers of the material should not exceed 1mm in depth
(www.bisco.com). Specimens used for testing compressive strength in this study were
6mm thick. While fabricating these specimens, uniform 1mm increments were light
cured to prevent layers of uncured material. Due to the minimal depth of cure of
TheraCal LC, it may be more indicated as a liner, and not as an interim restoration, as
Based on the mechanical properties, the results of this study demonstrate that
Biodentine and TheraCal LC are ideally suited for their intended use. Both are
marketed for treating pulp exposures, but are used differently. Biodentine is used as a
substitute for dentin, therefore it is important that it has a flexural modulus greater than
or equal to dentin. The flexural modulus of dentin is 17.5 ± 3.8 GPa (Plotino et al.,
2007) and in this study that of Biodentine was found to be 24.1 GPa. Of the materials
tested, Biodentine had the highest flexural modulus at 3 and 24 hours making it the
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least flexible and potentially providing greater support of an overlying restoration.
Studies suggest that it provides a good marginal seal with a faster setting time
compared to MTA (Bachoo et al., 2013, Septodont, 2009). Biodentine could be placed
asymptomatic, Biodentine could be prepared with a handpiece, reducing its size, and
strength, making it the most resistant to fracture during the immediate placement of a
final restorative material. TheraCal LC is placed in a small increment of less than 1mm
thick over a pulp exposure similar to the placement technique for Dycal.
The ability of the pulp capping materials to induce the formation of tertiary dentin
trial by Hilton and others showed that MTA had a higher success rate compared to
Ca(OH)2 when used as a direct pulp cap (Hilton et al., 2013) as have other studies
(Aeinehchi et al., 2003; Chacko and Kurikose, 2006; Min et al., 2008; Nair et al., 2008).
involving a carious pulp exposure are lacking in the literature (Mente et al., 2010). The
lack of clinical research is especially true for Biodentine and TheraCal LC. An in vivo
study by Nowicka and others showed that there was no difference between MTA and
Biodentine in inducing dentinal bridging over intentional pulp exposures (Nowicka et al.,
2013). That study had relatively limited number of teeth and only included teeth with
formation in an in vitro study (Gandolfi et al., 2011), but significantly limited information
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and others found that exposure to diluted extracts of cured polyethlene glycol
increase in cell death (Lodiene et al,. 2013). At the same time, however, Portland
cement has been shown to be biocompatible (Abdullah et al., 2002). Although the
results of this study found that TheraCal LC and Biodentine demonstrated good
mechanical properties, more clinical studies are necessary, especially in direct pulp
capping of carious exposures, before these new pulp capping materials can be
CONCLUSION
At all time periods, TheraCal LC had the greatest flexural and compressive
strength. After 3 and 24 hours, Biodentine had the greatest flexural modulus. MTA did
DISCLOSURE
The views expressed in this study are those of the authors and do not reflect the
official policy of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the United
States Government. The authors do not have any financial interest in the companies
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to acknowledge Mr. Dan Sellers for his assistance in the collection
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