(PO42) The Effect of Water Versus a Simulated Body Fluid on the Physical Properties of Three Hydraulic Calcium Silicate Cements

Abstract:
To assess the impact of water versus a simulated body fluid (FBS: Fetal Bovine Serum) on the physical properties (wettability, microhardness, surface roughness, and setting time) of three hydraulic calcium silicate cements (HCSCs), namely MTA-Angelus (MTA), Totalfill BC RRM Putty (Totalfill), and Biodentine, with Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM) serving as a control. The materials were prepared in cylindrical specimens (n=9 per group, 10 mm in diameter, and 2 mm in height). Wettability, microhardness, and surface roughness were evaluated after immersion in 4 ml of distilled water and FBS for 7 days. For the final setting time (Gillmore apparatus), instead of immersing the materials, 25 μl of either solution was applied to their surfaces. The data were analyzed by independent t-tests or the Mann-Whitney U-test (p < .05). FBS rendered all HCSCs less hydrophilic, whereas it increased hydrophilicity for IRM (p < .05). The microhardness of MTA and Totalfill increased in FBS (p < .05), while no effect was observed for IRM and Biodentine. Totalfill and Biodentine exhibited lower surface roughness in FBS (p < .05), and MTA had significantly lower values when immersed in water compared to FBS (p < .05). IRM and MTA presented similar final setting times both in water and FBS, while FBS prolonged the setting of Biodentine (p < .05). The final setting time of Totalfill could not be measured. Wettability, microhardness, and surface roughness of the investigated materials, especially HCSCs, were altered to various extents by the immersion medium. FBS slowed down the setting of Biodentine, had no effect on IRM and MTA compared to water, whereas Totalfill failed to set.