Physical and Chemical Properties of CEM Cement Mixed with Propylene Glycol

INTRODUCTION: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of propylene glycol (PG) on the flowability, microhardness, pH and calcium ion release of calcium-enriched mixture (CEM). METHODS AND MATERIALS: CEM cement was mixed with different proportions of PG, as follows: group 1,100% CEM liquid (CL); group 2, 100% PG; group 3, 50% PG and group 4, 20% PG. For assessment of flowability, methodology of ADA Specification No. 57 was applied. For measuring microhardness, 80 cylindrical molds (6×4 mm) were filled with CEM cement and divided into 2 subgroups (4, 21 days) and tested using Vickers Test. Data were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA test and Tukey’s post hoc and student’s t test. In order to check pH and calcium release, the mixed cements were placed in cylindrical molds (5×2 mm). After 3, 24, 72 and 168 h, pH determined by a pH meter and the calcium release was measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed using the repeated measure ANOVA, one way ANOVA test and Tuckey’s post hoc test. RESULTS: The present study showed that the presence of PG did not affect the flowability. With the elapse of time, microhardness was significantly increased in all groups except CL group. Regardless of time, samples with 50% PG showed the lowest pH value which was significantly different from other groups (P<0.05) and samples with 100% and 20% PG showed significantly higher calcium ion release compared to other group. CONCLUSION: addition of PG did not have any positive or negative effect on the flowability and pH of CEM cement but increased its microhardness in long term. Calcium ion release also increased in the concentration of 20% and 100%.