X-ray diffraction analysis of MTA-Plus, MTA-Angelus and DiaRoot BioAggregate

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the crystalline structures of recently released MTA Plus (MTA-P), MTA Angelus (MTA-A), DiaRoot BioAggregate (BA) by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Phase analysis was carried out on powder and set forms of tested materials. The powder specimens placed into sample holders that were packed with a glass slide and the set samples prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions were placed into molds. The samples after being set for three days at 37°C and 100% humidity in an incubator were mounted onto the XRD machine and phase identification was accomplished using a search-match software program. RESULTS XRD findings indicated that major constituents of MTA-P were bismuth oxide, portlandite, dicalcium silicate and tricalcium silicate. The crystal structure of MTA-A were similar to those of MTA-P except for the absence of portlandite. Additionally, MTA-A had tricalcium aluminate differing from MTA-P. BA mainly differed from MTA-P and MTA-A by the radiopacifier (tantalum oxide-TO) in its composition. CONCLUSIONS The majority of constituents of the tested materials have shown similarity except for the presence of tricalcium aluminate in MTA-A and the inclusion of TO in BA. In addition, set MTA-P showed a strong peak of portlandite.