Evaluation of Cold Ceramic and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate's Ph and Dimensional Stability in Dry, Blood and Saliva Contaminated Conditions -An in Vitro Study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this investigation is to examine the pH and dimensional stability of cold ceramic (cc) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in dry, saliva, and blood contaminants. Materials and methods: 60 cylindrical discs of Cold Ceramic & 60 cylindrical discs of MTA having dimensions 6mm X 3mm were prepared by mixing the components to putty consistency in group 1 and 2 respectively. In each group half of the specimens were subjected to pH measurement and another half to test dimensional stability. Specimens were subsequently grouped into three subgroups (n=10) for each test, in below order: Group 1: Cold Ceramic; 1A: Dry, 1B: Saliva contaminated, 1C: Blood contaminated Group 2: MTA; 2A: Dry, 2B: Saliva contaminated, 2C: Blood contaminated. For evaluation of pH: Specimens were placed in containers containing 10ml of deionised water, and the initial pH was recorded immediately[T0], similarly readings were recorded after the first day[T1] and the seventh day[T2] using a digital pH meter. For evaluation of dimensional stability: Their lengths were measured with a digital calliper. After 30 days, the difference in length divided by the initial length gave us our estimation of dimensional stability. The data was statistically analysed through one-way ANOVA and a paired Student "t" test (P 0.05). Results: No significant differences was seen with respect to control, saliva contaminated and blood contaminated groups. There were no substantial differences in the dimensional stability of MTA and cold ceramic samples contaminated with saliva or blood from T0-T1 (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Both Cold Ceramic and MTA cement exhibited similar alkaline pH & dimensional stability in dry, saliva & blood contaminated areas.