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Introduction: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)(2)] are promising biomaterials for stimulating dentinogenesis and cementogenesis. This research was undertaken to understand how MTA and CA(OH)(2) participate in the inflammatory, healing, and biomineralization processes. In this part of the study, we evaluated inflammatory signaling molecules promoted by in vivo host interaction with MTA and Ca(OH)(2)., Methods: Human dentin tubes were filled with ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK), Ca(OH)(2), or kept empty. After 12 hours and 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 60 days of implantation in subcutaneous tissues in the backs of mice, the tubes and surrounding tissues were retrieved for cytokine level quantification and histological and immunohistochemical analysis., Results: MTA and Ca(OH)(2) induced proinflammatory cytokine up-regulation for up to 3 days. Moreover, interleukin-10 overexpression was noted on the tissue in contact with the biomaterials during the acute phase of the inflammatory reaction. Immunohistochemical analyses showed an increased expression of myeloperoxidase, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase enzymes, and vascular endothelial growth factor on day 1 for all groups., Conclusions: MTA and Ca(OH)(2) increased the activation of the NF-κB signaling system on day 1 for all groups. This finding can be associated with a proinflammatory and pro-wound healing environment, which was promoted earlier by MTA., (Copyright © 2011 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Recently, it was shown that the biomineralization process promoted by the interaction of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with dentin in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) positively influenced the push-out bond strength of the cement. This study investigated if the use of a PBS intracanal dressing promotes the biomineralization process of MTA apical plugs using an ex vivo apexification model., Methods: White MTA was introduced into single-rooted teeth with standardized artificially created open apices to form 5-mm-thick apical plugs. The specimens were randomly divided into the following three groups of 10 samples each: group 1: the remaining canal space was filled with PBS as an intracanal dressing; group 2: the root segments were introduced in plastic vials containing floral foams with 20 mL of PBS; and group 3: the root segments were placed in the floral foams with 20 mL of PBS and a PBS intracanal dressing was used. After 2 months, the samples were processed for scanning electron microscopic observations. Data were analyzed by using the Kruskall-Wallis test., Results: In group 1, the formation of an interfacial layer (IL) with intratubular mineralization (ITM) was more evident at the cervical third; however, no mineralization was revealed at the apical third. In group 2, there was no IL and/or ITM formation at the cervical third, but samples denoted IL and ITM formation at the apical third. Group 3 displayed the formation of IL and ITM at the different levels., Conclusion: It was concluded that the use of a PBS intracanal dressing promotes the biomineralization process at the inner side of MTA apical plugs., (Copyright © 2010 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been shown to be bioactive because of its ability to produce biologically compatible carbonated apatite. This study analyzed the interaction of MTA and white Portland cement with dentin after immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)., Methods: Dentin disks with standardized cavities were filled with ProRoot MTA, MTA Branco, MTA BIO, white Portland cement + 20% bismuth oxide (PC1), or PC1 + 10% of calcium chloride (PC2) and immersed in 15 mL of PBS for 2 months. The precipitates were weighed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction. The calcium ion release and pH of the solutions were monitored at 5, 15, 25, and 35 days. The samples were processed for SEM observations. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance or Kruskall-Wallis tests., Results: Our findings revealed the presence of amorphous calcium phosphate precipitates with different morphologies. The apatite formed by the cement-PBS system was deposited within collagen fibrils, promoting controlled mineral nucleation on dentin, observed as the formation of an interfacial layer with tag-like structures., Conclusions: All the cements tested were bioactive. The cements release some of their components in PBS, triggering the initial precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphates, which act as precursors during the formation of carbonated apatite. This spontaneous precipitation promotes a biomineralization process that leads to the formation of an interfacial layer with tag-like structures at the cement-dentin interface.