Methods: The genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of MTA and CEM were compared using MTT as well as single-cell gel (comet) assays with 9 serial ascending concentrations (0 to 1000 μg/mL) of tested materials.
Results: In terms of cytotoxicity, there was no significant difference between CEM and MTA at all concentrations except for the full concentration (1000 μg/mL); CEM had lower cytotoxicity (P=0.019). Genotoxic effects were more evident with CEM at concentrations of 15.6 and 250 μg/mL compared with MTA; however, this toxicity was less than that of MTA at concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/mL. When the concentration of both materials was gradually augmented, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects of the 2 experimental groups generally increased.
Conclusions: Under the conditions of this in vitro study, CEM was more effective than MTA in full concentration. This novel endodontic cement is biocompatible in terms of cyto- and genotoxicity. CEM appears to be an alternative to MTA as an endodontic biomaterial offering several advantages.