Physical Properties of New Generation Tricalcium Silicate Dental Materials

Tricalcium silicate-based materials are growing in popularity for dental procedures. This study reports the physical properties of two experimental tricalcium silicate-based Generex A and B materials. Generex A is designed for vital dental pulp therapy, the repair of root perforations, or to seal a resected root apex. Generex B is designed for nonsurgical root canal procedures as a sealant. ADA 57 and ISO 9917 methods were used for testing in vitro properties of flow, working and setting times, film thickness, dimensional stability, solubility, radiopacity, compressive strength, and freedom from lead and arsenic. In vitro tests of fluid flow were conducted to compare microleakage. Generex A met the ADA 57 and ISO 9917 requirements as they apply for the intended use of this material; Generex B met the ADA 57 requirements for a root canal sealer. Both materials had lower film thickness and higher radiopacity, than ProRoot® MTA. The setting times of the Generex materials were no shorter than MTA, but the handling was very much improved over MTA. Furthermore, these materials sealed as well as the standard ProRoot MTA material. These new materials are suitable for testing in animal models for their intended use.