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Objective: The antimicrobial effects of 4 mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) preparations, 2 white-colored (WMTA-1, WMTA-2) and 2 gray-colored (GMTA-1, GMTA-2), against C. albicans and E. faecalis were assessed in vitro., Methodology: Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each preparation was determined using the tube dilution test and Sabouraud agar media for C. albicans and brain heart infusion media for E. faecalis. Broth tubes were prepared and divided into experimental and control groups. Aliquots of each of the tested microorganisms were taken from a stock culture and added to each experimental and positive control group. All groups were incubated at 37 degrees C and evaluated for turbidity at 24-, 48-, and 72-hour time periods. Samples of 0.1 mL from each of the experimental and control tubes were subcultured on agar or brain heart infusion plates to confirm visible signs of bacterial or fungal growth., Results: MIC of MTA against the 2 microorganisms tested varied among the 4 preparations tested. WMTA-1 and WMTA-2 inhibited C. albicans growth at concentrations of 3.125 mg/10 mL and 25 mg/10 mL, respectively, and statistically significant differences were found between WMTA-1 and WMTA-2 (P < .001). WMTA-1 and WMTA-2 inhibited E. faecalis growth at concentrations of 12.5 mg/10 mL and 50 mg/10 mL, respectively, and statistically significant differences were found between WMTA-1 and WMTA-2 (P < .001). GMTA-1 and GMTA-2 inhibited E. faecalis growth at concentrations of 12.5 mg/10 mL and 3.125 mg/10 mL, respectively, and statistically significant differences were found between GMTA-1 and GMTA-2 (P < .001). Both GMTA-1 and GMTA-2 inhibited C. albicans growth at a concentration of 3.125 mg/10 mL and no statistical differences were found between the preparations. Subculture of the broth tubes in agar or brain heart infusion plates confirmed the turbidity test result., Conclusion: The origin of MTA as well as the type of preparation may affect its antimicrobial characteristics. Clinicians should be aware of variations that may exist among such MTA preparations.

Radicular groove is an anatomical malformation that often causes severe periodontal defects. Treatments of such an anomaly present a clinical challenge to the operator. Presented is a case of successful treatment of radicular groove associated with a maxillary lateral incisor of a 15-year-old girl. A combination of endodontics, intentional replantation, and Emdogain therapy was used. At 4-year follow-up, the patient was comfortable and complete resolution of the periapical pathology was evident.

The antibacterial effects of gray-colored MTA (GMTA) and white-colored MTA (WMTA) against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus sanguis were assessed in vitro using the tube dilution test. Broth tubes were prepared and divided into experimental and control groups. Aliquots of each of the tested microorganisms were taken from a stock culture and added to each experimental and positive control group. All groups were incubated at 37 degrees C and evaluated for turbidity at 0, 1, 24, 48, and 72-hour time periods. A direct correlation was found between GMTA and WMTA concentrations and their antibacterial effect. Tubes containing GMTA in concentrations of 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/ml did not show E. faecalis growth at any of the time periods tested whereas tubes containing WMTA showed E. faecalis growth at all concentrations and time periods tested. Statistically significant differences were found between tubes containing GMTA in concentrations of 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/ml and tubes containing similar concentrations of WMTA (p < 0.001). Tubes containing GMTA in concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 3.12 mg/ml and tubes containing WMTA in concentrations of 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/ml did not show S. sanguis growth at any of the time periods tested. Statistically significant differences were found between tubes containing GMTA in concentrations 6.25 and 3.12 mg/ml and tubes containing similar concentrations of WMTA (p < 0.001). It appears that the susceptibility of E. faecalis and S. sanguis to MTA differed and that GMTA requires lower concentrations than WMTA to exert the same antibacterial effect against each of the microorganisms tested.

The killing effect of similar concentrations of white-colored MTA and gray-colored MTA against Candida albicans was assessed in vitro using the tube dilution test. A direct correlation was found between MTA concentration and its killing effect on C. albicans. At time period zero, both white-colored and gray-colored MTA samples showed Candida growth regardless of the concentration. Tubes containing gray-colored MTA in concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, and 3.125 mg/ml and tubes containing white-colored MTA in concentrations of 50 and 25 mg/ml did not show C. albicans growth at any of the other time periods tested. Tubes containing white-colored MTA in concentrations of 12.5 mg/ml or less showed Candida growth at all the time periods tested. Statistically, a significant difference was found between tubes containing either 50 mg/ml or 25 mg/ml and tubes containing lower concentrations of white-colored MTA (p < 0.001). A significant difference was also found between tubes containing gray-colored MTA in concentrations of 12.5 mg/ml or less and tubes containing similar concentrations of white-colored MTA (p < 0.001). It appears that both gray-colored and white-colored MTA in concentrations of 50 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml are effective in killing C. albicans for periods of up to 1 wk. Lower concentrations of gray-colored MTA may still be effective while lower concentrations of white-colored MTA may not.

The antifungal action of different concentrations of white-colored mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) against Candida albicans was assessed in vitro. Fresh mix of MTA was prepared at concentrations varying from 0.78 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml by dilution with 10 ml molten agar at 45 degrees C. The MTA-agar compound was thoroughly mixed and the uniform mix was then poured into sterile Petri dishes and allowed to set. A total of 348 agar plates were prepared and divided into experimental groups of 11 plates each and control groups of 5 plates each. Plates of agar without MTA served as positive control and plates without C. albicans served as negative control. Fresh inoculate of C. albicans was prepared by growing an overnight culture from a stock culture. Aliquots of C. albicans were then taken from the stock culture and plated on the agar compound of the experimental and positive control groups. All plates were incubated at 37 degrees C for 1, 24, 48, and 72-h periods. At each time period, the presence of C. albicans colonies was assessed and recorded. A direct correlation was found between MTA concentration and its inhibition effect on C. albicans growth. Plates containing MTA in concentration of 50 mg/ml showed significantly better killing action against C. albicans in all of the time periods tested (p < 0.001). Plates containing MTA in concentration of 25 mg/ml showed antifungal activity only at 1 and 24-h time periods. Plates containing lower concentrations of MTA did not show any antifungal activity. It appears that under the conditions of this study, white-colored MTA in concentration of 50 mg/ml is effective in killing C. albicans for periods of up to 3 days. Lower MTA concentrations may not be effective.

The sealing ability of orthograde mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) root canal filling against human saliva was assessed in vitro. Leakage of gray-colored MTA, white-colored MTA and vertically condensed gutta-percha and sealer were compared. Forty-three extracted single-rooted human teeth were serially instrumented to a file size 40/0.06 at the apex and obturated with either gray-colored MTA (group A), white-colored MTA (group B), or gutta-percha and Kerr Canal Sealer EWT (group C). The teeth were then mounted in a model to test for saliva leakage. After 42 days, one root in group A (9.1%), four roots in group B (36.4%), and nine roots in group C (81.8%) showed saliva leakage. Statistically, a significant difference was found between group A and group C (p < 0.001). No statistical difference was found between group A and group B. Out of the root samples that leaked, the one sample in group A leaked after 36 days. Of the four samples in group B, one sample leaked after 32 days, one sample after 33 days, and two samples after 39 days. All nine samples in group C had leaked after 19 days. It appears that under the conditions of this study both MTA preparations may be more resistant to human saliva leakage than vertically condensed gutta-percha and sealer.