Methods: Three calcium silicate-based materials: Endosequence BC Sealer (BC sealer; Brasseler), Biodentine (Septodont) and white ProRoot MTA (WMTA; Dentsply Tulsa Dental), were used. Dentin plates were prepared from the crown of extracted human molars (n = 15). Following placing a set cement disk prepared from one of the materials on top, each dentin specimen was individually immersed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for 14 days (n = 5 for each cement). Morphology and elemental composition of the surface of dentin and cement specimens were analyzed with a wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy electron probe microanalyzer with image analyzing function (SEM-EPMA). In addition, the amount of calcium ion release from the test cement materials was measured by EDTA titration.
Results: All test materials produced surface precipitates of acicular or lath-like morphology with Ca/P ratio of 1.6-2.0. Dentin surfaces and dentinal tubules in contact with each cement showed precipitates containing Ca and P. Ca- and Si-incorporation was also detected in the intertubular dentin. These findings were least prominent in specimens in contact with BC sealer. The amount Ca ion release were in the order of Biodentine > WMTA > BC sealer, with a significant difference between BC sealer and the others at several time points (P< 0.05, ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test).
Conclusions: Set calcium silicate-based endodontic materials showed dentin biomineralization ability and Ca release in the presence of PBS when in close contact with dentin. BC Sealer showed less Ca ion release and less prominent dentin biomineralization compared with Biodentine and WMTA.