Zirconium oxide and niobium oxide used as radiopacifiers in a calcium silicate-based material stimulate fibroblast proliferation and collagen formation.

AIM: To evaluate the influence of the addition of microparticulate (micro) and nanoparticulate (nano) zirconium oxide (ZrO2 ) and niobium pentoxide (Nb2 O5 ) to a calcium silicate-based cement (CS) on the subcutaneous healing process in rats compared with MTA Angelus™. METHODOLOGY: In each rat, two polyethylene tubes filled with the following materials: (i) MTA; (ii) CS + ZrO2 micro; (iii) CS + ZrO2 nano; (iv) CS + Nb2 O5 micro or (v) CS + Nb2 O5 nano were implanted subcutaneously; empty polyethylene tubes were used in the Control group. After 7, 15, 30 and 60 days, the specimens (n = 5 per group in each period) were fixed and embedded in paraffin. Masson's trichrome sections were used to obtain the volume density of the inflammatory cells (VvIC) and fibroblasts (VvFb). The sections were also stained with Picrosirius-red to calculate the birefringent collagen content. Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the number of immunolabelled cells was obtained. The data were subjected to two-way anova followed by Tukey's test (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: At all periods, the VvIC was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in all the CS and Control groups than in the MTA group. At all periods, the VvFb was reduced significantly (P = 0.023) in the MTA group in comparison with the other groups. In addition, the number of immunolabelled cells in the capsules of the CS groups was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than in the MTA group at all time-points. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental materials (CS + ZrO2 and CS + Nb2 O5 ) induced fibroblast proliferation and accelerated the regression of the inflammatory reaction. However, the addition of nanoparticulate radiopacifiers did not improve the biological properties of a calcium silicate-based cement when compared to microparticulate agents.

Niobium pentoxide as radiopacifying agent of calcium silicate-based material: evaluation of physicochemical and biological properties.

OBJECTIVES: The physicochemical properties and the tissue reaction promoted by microparticulated or nanoparticulated niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) added to calcium silicate-based cement (CS), compared to MTA-Angelus™, were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Materials were submitted to the tests of radiopacity, setting time, pH, and calcium ion release. Polyethylene tubes filled with the materials were implanted into rats subcutaneously. After 7, 15, 30, and 60 days, the specimens were fixed and embedded in paraffin. Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E)-stained sections were used to compute the number of inflammatory cells (IC). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) detection was performed, and the number of immunolabeled cells was obtained; von Kossa method was also carried out. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey test (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Nb2O5micro and Nb2O5nano provided to the CS radiopacity values (3.52 and 3.75 mm Al, respectively) superior to the minimum recommended. Groups containing Nb2O5 presented initial setting time significantly superior than mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). All materials presented an alkaline pH and released calcium ions. The number of IC and IL-6 immunolabeled cells in the CS + Nb2O5 groups was significantly reduced in comparison to MTA in all periods. von Kossa-positive structures were observed adjacent to implanted materials in all periods. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of Nb2O5 to the CS resulted in a material biocompatible and with adequate characteristics regarding radiopacity and final setting time and provides an alkaline pH to the environment. Furthermore, the particle size did not significantly affect the physicochemical and biological properties of the calcium silicate-based cement. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Niobium pentoxide can be used as radiopacifier for the development of calcium silicate-based materials.

Effect of bismuth oxide on white mineral trioxide aggregate: chemical characterization and physical properties.

AIM: To assess the effect of bismuth oxide (Bi2 O3 ) on the chemical characterization and physical properties of White mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Angelus. METHODOLOGY: Commercially available White MTA Angelus and White MTA Angelus without Bi2 O3 provided by the manufacturer especially for this study were subjected to the following tests: Rietveld X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), compressive strength, Vickers microhardness test and setting time. Chemical analysis data were reported descriptively, and physical properties were expressed as means and standard deviations. Data were analysed using Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test (P = 0.05). RESULTS: Calcium silicate peaks were reduced in the diffractograms of both hydrated materials. Bismuth particles were found on the surface of White MTA Angelus, and a greater amount of particles characterized as calcium hydroxide was observed by visual examination on White MTA without Bi2 O3 . The material without Bi2 O3 had the shortest final setting time (38.33 min, P = 0.002), the highest Vickers microhardness mean value (72.35 MPa, P = 0.000) and similar compressive strength results (P = 0.329) when compared with the commercially available White MTA Angelus containing Bi2 O3 . CONCLUSION: The lack of Bi2 O3 was associated with an increase in Vickers microhardness, a reduction in final setting time, absence of Bi2 O3 peaks in diffractograms, as well as a large amount of calcium and a morphology characteristic of calcium hydroxide in EDX/SEM analysis.

Propriedades físico-químicas e biológicas de cimento experimental à base de Portland associado a diferentes radiopacificadores / Physical, chemical and biological properties of an experimental Portland-based cement with different radiopacifier agents

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas de um cimento experimental à base de Portland contendo diferentes agentes radiopacificadores. Os cimentos foram divididos em 6 grupos: 1. MTA-Angelus branco (controle), 2. cimento Portland branco (CP), 3. CP com 20% de óxido de zircônio (OZ), 4. CP/50% OZ, 5. CP com 20% de tungstato de cálcio (TC) e 6. CP/50% TC. As proporções foram determinadas em peso (80 e 50% de CP para 20 e 50% de radiopacificadores, respectivamente). Os cimentos experimentais foram manipulados utilizando 0,3 mL de líquido composto por 80% de água destilada e 20% de propilenoglicol, em volume. A caracterização dos materiais foi realizada em microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), no modo EDS e em difratômetro de raios-X (XRD). Para os testes de radiopacidade, escoamento, espessura de filme e solubilidade foram seguidas as especificações no 57 da ANSI/ADA (2000). Na determinação do tempo de presa, foi empregada a norma ASTM C266/2008. Na análise do pH e liberação de íons cálcio foram analisados os períodos de 3, 24, 72 e 168 horas. Para análise da descoloração dentária, foram realizadas análises em espectrofotômetro, estereomicroscopia e MEV. Para análise da resposta inflamatória, foi utilizado o teste de implantação em subcutâneo de ratos. A utilização do óxido de zircônio e do tungstato de cálcio em combinação com o cimento Portland resultou no desenvolvimento de cimentos que exibiram uma radiopacidade próxima (20% de radiopacificadores) ou acima (50%) do recomendado pela norma no 57 da ANSI/ADA; tempo de presa mais prolongado, espessura de filme menor e escoamento mais elevado em comparação com o MTA-Angelus; solubilidade adequada e comparável ao MTA-Angelus, elevado pH e liberação de íons cálcio superior ao MTA-Angelus nos períodos iniciais e similar aos 7 dias, ausência de descoloração dentária e resposta inflamatória semelhante ao MTA-Angelus...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the physical, chemical and biological properties of an experimental calcium silicate-based cement with different concentrations of the radiopacifiers zirconium oxide and calcium tungstate. The materials were divided in 6 groups: 1. White MTA (control), 2. White Portland cement (PC), 3. PC with 20% zirconium oxide (ZO), 4. PC/50% ZO, 5. PC with 20% calcium tungstate (CT) and 6. PC/50% CT. The proportions were determined by weight. The cements were manipulated using 0.3 mL of liquid composed of 80% distilled water and 20% propylene glycol. The control was manipulated according to manufacturers instructions. The characterization of the materials was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in EDS mode and X-ray diffractometrer (XRD). For radiopacity, flowability, film thickness and solubility test, the specifications no 57 of ADA (2000) was followed. To determine the setting time, ASTM C266/2008 specifications was followed. For pH and calcium ion release assessment, the periods of 3, 24, 72 and 168 hours were evaluated. The analysis of dental discolouration was performed using spectrophotometer, stereomicroscopy and SEM. To evaluate the inflammatory response, the test of subcutaneous implantation in rats was used. The use of zirconium oxide and calcium tungstate in association with Portland cement resulted in development of cements with radiopacity nearly (20% radiopacifiers) or above (50%) the recommended by ANSI/ADA specifications n a 57, more prolonged setting time, lower film thickness and higher flowability in comparison with MTAAngelus, an adequate and comparable solubility with MTA-Angelus, high pH and calcium ion release higher than MTA-Angelus in the initial periods and similar at 7 days, absence of dental discolouration and inflammatory response similar to that presented by MTA-Angelus...