The effects of incorporation of silver-zeolite on selected properties of mineral trioxide aggregate.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate some physical and chemical properties of MTA incorporated with antibacterial silver zeolite (SZ). 0%, 0.2% or 2% mass fraction of SZ was added to MTA powder. The amounts of calcium released from the specimen in deionized water were measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The setting times of the samples were evaluated using Gilmore-type needles. For solubility and water absorption tests, the samples were placed in a cylindrical polystyrene-sealed container. At 7 days, the samples were removed from solutions and blotted dry for solubility and water absorption test. The highest calcium release was detected in 2% SZ MTA at 24 h. The addition of 2% SZ to MTA reduced the setting time statistically (p<0.05). 2% SZ MTA was significantly more soluble than MTA and 0.2 % SZ MTA (p<0.05). Further research is needed prior to clinical use of MTA with incorporated SZ.