Comparative Evaluation of the Physical and Antimicrobial Properties of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Biodentine, and a Modified Fast-Setting Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Without Tricalcium Aluminate: An In Vitro Study

Background Tricalcium aluminate, one of the major constituents of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), has been shown to have cytotoxic properties. Mineral trioxide aggregate has moderate to low antimicrobial activity against the most common endodontic pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis. Aim To assess the physical and antimicrobial properties of a newly modified formulation of mineral trioxide aggregate. Materials & methods The final setting time, compressive strength, and antimicrobial properties were tested for three groups of materials. The material used for Group 1 was mineral trioxide aggregate (white MTA, Angelus, Londrina, Brazil); the material for Group 2 was Biodentine (Septodont, Saint Maur des Fossés, France); and for Group 3, a modified MTA formulation was used. Results Group 1 had the longest setting time, and Group 2 had the shortest setting time. Group 3's material was set at 83.65 ± 0.28 minutes. This difference among the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The highest mean compressive strength during all the time periods was seen in Group 2, followed by Group 3, and the least in Group 1. This difference in compressive strength was statistically significant (p=0.001). The largest zone of inhibition against Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus mutans was seen in Group 3, followed by Group 2 and Group 1. Conclusion Under the limitations of the present study, the newly modified MTA could serve as an alternative to the conventional MTA in terms of faster setting, higher strength, and better antimicrobial properties.