In-vitro comparison of primary setting time and surface porosity of two types of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA)

Abstract Background and Aim: Use of MTA-based cements has disadvantages like pro-longed setting time, and inappropriate application. This study aims to compare two types of MTA in terms of setting time and surface porosity. Materials and Methods: Two MTA cement groups were investigated, 1: ProRoot MTA and 2: Angelus MTA. Primary Setting Time of 5 samples from each group was evaluated according to ISO 6876: 2001 standard with a 10mm diameter and 1mm thickness stainless steel mold in a 37±1 °C incubator with 95% relative humidity us-ing Gilmore needle system. After final setting, surface porosity of samples was as-sessed using an electron microscope with 2000 and 5000 magnifications. For data analysis, statistical t-test was used. Results: According to statistical tests, primary setting times of materials in two groups differed significantly (P < 0.001) with group1: 38.72±0.61 and group2: 22.46±0.61 minutes, and microscopic investigations revealed better surface properties in ProRoot MTA compared with those in Angelus MTA. Conclusion: Angelus MTA had shorter primary setting time compared with ProRoot MTA, but ProRoot showed better surface properties and less porosity after final set-ting. Key Words: MTA cement, primary setting time, electronic microscope