Comparison of two root-end filling materials

In root canal surgery and perforation repair, the retrofilling material should seal the apex against diffusion of bacterial products from the root canal system into periradicular tissues and result in tissue healing. Several materials have been used for root-end filling. In this study the chemical compositions of two Iranian root-end filling materials, called Cold Ceramic and CEM Cement, were compared.

In this descriptive in vitro study, the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used for structural analysis and quantification of elements and components of the two materials. One cold ceramic sample and two CEM cement samples (produced in two different years with different batch numbers) were examined. A total of 3.5 g of each sample powder were homogenized, smashed in the form of pills and analyzed by the XRF and XRD. Data were collected and analyzed by Fisher's exact test (α=0.05).

The results of XRD showed that Cold Ceramic and CEM Cement are similar in major phases, consisting of larnite, barite and calcium silicate. The results of XRF showed no significant differences between the elements and chemical compositions of Cold Ceramic and CEM Cement. There were differences in the Zn, Zr and P contents between the two products.

Given the similarities in the structural elements and compounds of Cold Ceramic and CEM Cement as demonstrated in this study, it seems that CEM Cement has physical and chemical properties similar to those of Cold Ceramic.