Methods: The sol-gel CSC was synthesized via sol-gel process using TEOS and Ca(NO3)2•4H2O as precursors and HNO3 as a catalyst. The powder characteristics, hydration behavior, setting time, compressive strength and material-dentin bonding behavior of sol-gel CSC were investigated; meanwhile, the conventional-sintered CSC and two forms of the commercial MTA were also tested as compared groups.
Results: Different to the powder particles with sharp surface of conventional-sintered CSC, and MTA, porous structure was observed on the sol-gel CSC powder. The crystal phases and the microstructure of hydrated conventional-sintered and sol-gel CSCs were similar. After hydration, sol-gel CSC demonstrated the shortest setting time (12 ±0.8 min) but poor compressive strength (20.21±0.8 MPa). The results of the push-out bonding test showed there was no significant difference of the push-out bonding strength among the test materials.
Conclusions: The sol-gel CSC is the highly potential biomaterial used in endodontic repair treatment since it can set within 12 minutes. However, the poor compressive strength of sol-gel CSC is a disadvantage that should be improved in the future.