Different Setting Conditions Affect Surface Characteristics and Microhardness of Calcium Silicate-Based Sealers

Figure 3

(a) Scanning electron microscopy images of Endoseal mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA, Maruchi, Wonju, Korea) under different setting conditions. (A), (B), and (C) All structures appear to be tightly connected with one another. (D), (E), and (F) A few clusters of globular particles (arrow). (G), (H), and (I) No globular aggregate particles are apparent. Surface XRD analysis and phase fraction of Endoseal MTA stored for 14 days in 100% humidity only (b), initially exposed to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 2 days (c) and acidic solution for 2 days (d).

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