Physicochemical and biological properties of new tricalcium silicate-based repair material doped with fluoride ions and zirconium oxide as radiopacifier

Abstract

This study evaluated the physicochemical and biological properties of novel reparative materials composed of pure tricalcium silicate (Ca3SiO5), Ca3SiO5 doped with fluoride ions (Ca3SiO5-F) and their association with ZrO2 (Ca3SiO5 + ZrO2, Ca3SiO5-F + ZrO2), in comparison with Biodentine (BIO). Setting time radiopacity, pH, solubility, and dimensional change were evaluated based on ISO 6876 Standard. Volumetric change and flow/filling were assessed by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Biological properties were evaluated by the MTT assay 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), Neutral Red (NR), cell migration, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and Alizarin Red Staining (ARS) assays. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA, Tukey, or Bonferroni tests (α =.05). Ca3SiO5-F + ZrO2 had higher radiopacity, shorter setting time, and lower solubility and volumetric loss than BIO (p <.05). Ca3SiO5-F + ZrO2 had flow and filling capacity similar to BIO (p >.05). All the cements evaluated had an alkaline pH. Ca3SiO5-F + ZrO2 demonstrated cell viability similar to negative control (p >.05), increase in ALP activity in 7 days, mineralized nodule production in 21 days and repair capacity according to cell migration. In conclusion, Ca3SiO5-F + ZrO2 had adequate setting time, radiopacity, solubility, and dimensional change. This material presented low volumetric change besides flow and filling capacity in micro-CT assessment. In addition, Ca3SiO5-F + ZrO2 was biocompatible and bioactive, suggesting its use as reparative material.