Radiopacity evaluation of Portland and MTA-based cements by digital radiographic system

Objective

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the radiopacity of Portland andMTA-based cements using the Digora TM digital radiographic system.

Material and Methods

The performed tests followed specification number 57 from the American NationalStandard Institute/American Dental Association (2000) for endodontic sealingmaterials. The materials were placed in 5 acrylic plates, especially designed forthis experiment, along with a graduated aluminum stepwedge varying from 1 to 10 mmin thickness. The set was radiographed at a 30 cm focus-object distance and with0.2 s exposure time. After the radiographs were taken, the optical laser readingsof radiographs were performed by Digora TM system. Five radiographic densityreadings were performed for each studied material and for each step of thealuminum scale.

Results

White ProRoot MTA (155.99±8.04), gray ProRoot MTA (155.96±16.30) and MTA BIO(143.13±16.94) presented higher radiopacity values (p<0.05), while whitenon-structural Portland (119.76±22.34), gray Portland (109.71±4.90) and whitestructural Portland (99.59±12.88) presented lower radiopacity values(p<0.05).

Conclusions

It was concluded that MTA-based cements were the only materials presentingradiopacity within the ANSI/ADA specifications.