SOLUBILITY AND BIOMINERALIZATION ABILITY OF PMMA BONE CEMENT NANOCOMPOSITE FILLED WITH 40% NANOHYDROXYAPATITE FOR USE AS ROOT-END FILLING MATERIAL

Aim: This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the solubility and biomineralization ability of polymethyl-methacylate bone cement filled with prepared calcium phosphate based nano-fillers versus mineral trioxide aggregate when used as root end filling material. Materials and Methods: A total of forty two samples were prepared and classified into three main groups(n=14)according to the material type: Group I: white mineral trioxide aggregate, Group II: Polymethyl-methacrylate bone cement and Group III: Polymethyl-methacrylate bone cement loaded with 40% of prepared calcium phosphate based nanofillers. Each material type was mixed and packed into molds. Solubility testing was done following the ISO specification #4049 (2009). For the biomineralization ability testing, each specimen was immersed in 150 ml of simulated body fluid for 21 days. After that, the surface of the cements was analyzed by scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analysis with computer-controlled software for elemental analysis. Results: Energy dispersive X-ray analysis results revealed the absence of both calcium and phosphorus elements in polymethyl-methacrylate bone cement samples. On the other hand, both calcium and phosphorus elements were present in the other two tested materials samples. Statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the tested groups (p<0.05). Regarding solubility, MTA (GroupI) was significantly the lowest having mean value of (0.010g/mm3), while Bone cement with nanofiller (group III) was significantly the highest having mean value (1.009 g/mm3). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that addition of nanohydroxyapatite to polymethyle-methacrylate bone cement enhanced its biomineralization ability to be capable of apatite formation and on the other hand, it increased its solubility.