Physicochemical and biological properties of new tricalcium silicate‐based repair material doped with fluoride ions and zirconium oxide as radiopacifier

Abstract

This study evaluated the physicochemical and biological properties of novel reparative materials composed of pure tricalcium silicate (Ca₃SiO₅), Ca₃SiO₅ doped with fluoride ions (Ca₃SiO₅-F) and their association with ZrO₂ (Ca₃SiO₅ + ZrO₂, Ca₃SiO₅-F + ZrO₂), in comparison with Biodentine (BIO). Setting time radiopacity, pH, solubility, and dimensional change were evaluated based on ISO 6876 Standard. Volumetric change and flow/filling were assessed by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). Biological properties were evaluated by the MTT assay 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), Neutral Red (NR), cell migration, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and Alizarin Red Staining (ARS) assays. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA, Tukey, or Bonferroni tests (α = .05). Ca₃SiO₅-F + ZrO₂ had higher radiopacity, shorter setting time, and lower solubility and volumetric loss than BIO (p < .05). Ca₃SiO₅-F + ZrO₂ had flow and filling capacity similar to BIO (p > .05). All the cements evaluated had an alkaline pH. Ca₃SiO₅-F + ZrO₂ demonstrated cell viability similar to negative control (p > .05), increase in ALP activity in 7 days, mineralized nodule production in 21 days and repair capacity according to cell migration. In conclusion, Ca₃SiO₅-F + ZrO₂ had adequate setting time, radiopacity, solubility, and dimensional change. This material presented low volumetric change besides flow and filling capacity in micro-CT assessment. In addition, Ca₃SiO₅-F + ZrO₂ was biocompatible and bioactive, suggesting its use as reparative material.