Bioactivity and Physicochemical Properties of Three Calcium Silicate-Based Cements: An In Vitro Study

Figure 1

Scanning electron microscopy examination of the tested materials (1 = MM-MTA, 2 = ESRRM putty, 3 = Biodentine) immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 1 week ((a) low power 1 μm; (b) high power 100 μm) and 28 days ((c) low power 1 μm; (d) high power 100 μm). All specimens immersed in PBS for 1 week demonstrated formation of precipitates (blue arrow) on the material’s surface. At 28 days (c), the specimens showed a large amount of precipitates (red and blue arrows). Formation of precipitates at the dentin-material interface (red arrow) extended over material and dentin surfaces (blue arrow) in some areas following one week and 28 days of immersion (c). At higher magnification, the formation of an interfacial layer could be seen at the material-dentin interface (d). M: material; I: interface; D: dentin.