An in vitro Comparative Evaluation of the Sealing Ability of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate with Different Mixing Reagents

Background: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) exhibits several properties of an ideal root-end filling. It, however, has certain disadvantages such as long setting time, difficult handling characteristics, and limited antimicrobial activity. In order to improve its properties, several commonly used reagents have been used instead of sterile water. Hence the objective of this study was to evaluate the root-end sealing ability of white MTA combined with either distilled water, 0.12% chlorhexidine solution, 10% doxycycline solution, 3% sodium hypochlorite solution, or 10% calcium chloride solution using a bacterial leakage test. Materials and methods: Seventy-two extracted, decoronated human maxillary incisor teeth were used. After cleaning and shaping of the canals, root-end resection was performed at 90°. Root-end cavities were filled with ProRoot MTA combined with the test reagents. Microleakage was assessed using a bacterial leakage test for a period of 60 days. Results were analyzed using the log rank test. The level of significance was 0.05. Results: There was a significant increase in the sealing ability when MTA was mixed with calcium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, or doxycycline when compared with distilled water or chlorhexidine. Also, MTA combined with calcium chloride demonstrated a higher probability of surviving 60 days. Conclusion: The sealing ability of MTA was improved when combined with calcium chloride, sodium hypochlorite, and doxycycline.