Comparative evaluation of pH and solubility of MTA Fillapex® endodontic sealer

ABSTRACT

Introduction and Objective: To evaluate pH and solubility of MTA Fillapex® cement. Material and methods: Patients were divided into four groups: GI (MTA Fillapex®), GII (Sealer 26®), GIII (Sealapex®) and GIV (AH Plus®). Samples of each group with 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height were immersed into water at neutral pH and kept at 37ºC. After 3 hours, the first pH measurement was carried out and repeated at 24 hour intervals for seven days. The data were submitted to Anova (p < 0.05). To analyze the solubility, specimens with 20 mm in diameter and 1.5 mm in thickness were weighed after the setting time, and maintained in distilled water at 37ºC for seven days. After this period, the specimens were again weighed. The difference between their weighs represents the mass loss. The data were subjected to Student's t test for paired samples (p < 0.05). Results: GI and GIII showed pH increase at the first 24 hours, with a significant reduction compared with the other cements. GIV was the smallest mass loss, followed by GII, GIII and GI. Conclusion: MTA Fillapex® has higher solubility than that of resin cements, but its pH remained above 10 for seven days.