Biocompatibility of two commercial forms of mineral trioxide aggregate.

AIM To examine the biocompatibility of two commercial forms of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), by evaluating the morphology of an established cell line. METHODOLOGY The two cements were cast on glass cover slips and cured for 1 or 28 days. Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells were trypsinized and seeded at a density of 1 x 10(5) cells and were then placed in medium over the material-coated coverslips for 1, 5 and 7 days. After these time intervals the media were discarded and the cells fixed. Cell morphological investigation was performed by scanning electron microscopy at various magnifications ranging from x 250 to x 500. The biocompatibility of cement constituents, alusilicate flux and bismuth oxide was also investigated. RESULTS All cement samples cured for 1 day showed a confluent cell monolayer after 5 and 7 days. The response to both materials was similar. Materials cured for 28 days showed incomplete cell confluence after 1 and 5 days. Alusilicate flux and bismuth oxide did not demonstrate biocompatibility. CONCLUSIONS The 1-day cured samples of two commercial forms of MTA showed good biocompatibility. However, the 28-day cured samples were less biocompatible after 1 and 5 days.