α-Tricalcium phosphate/fluorapatite-based cement – Promising dental root canal filling material

α-Tricalcium phosphate/fluorapatite (α-TCP/FAp) mixed powders were prepared in order to obtain dental root canal filling cements. Different liquids for cement pastes have been investigated and the most suitable one for obtaining rheologically optimal pastes was chosen for further analysis. Morphological changes in the cement materials as a consequence of the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) after the immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF), an influence on the cell viability, and final success of the filling were investigated by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Treatment of the α-TCP/FAp mixtures in SBF at 37 °C resulted in a complete transformation of α-TCP into HAp after 10 days, while the exposure of MRC-5 human and L929 animal fibroblast cells to the cement showed complete absence of cytotoxicity. The root canal of an extracted tooth was filled with the α-TCP/FAp cement containing 5 wt.% of FAp and relatively strong adhesion between the cement and dentine was observed after 48 h. The same cement material was immersed during 10 days in SBF and after that both human and animal fibroblast cells during in vitro MTT tests showed higher cell viability compared to the control sample. These findings lead to a conclusion that the α-TCP/FAp based cement demonstrates potential for further development towards dental cement application