Cytotoxicity of four root end filling materials

Leakage and scanning electron microscopic studies have shown that a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) used as root end filling material permits significantly less leakage and has better adaptation than other commonly used root end filling materials. Because these materials are in contact with the periradicular tissues, their cytotoxicity should be evaluated before in vivo tests. Using the agar overlay and radiochromium methods, the cytotoxicity of amalgam, Super EBA, IRM, and the MTA was evaluated. Statistical analysis of the data from the agar overlay technique shows that freshly mixed and set amalgam were significantly less toxic than the rest of tested materials (p < 0.00005). Fresh and set MTA ranked second when tested for cytotoxicity with this technique. Similar statistical tests revealed a significant statistical difference between the toxicity of freshly mixed and set materials after 24 h of incubation with radiochromium-labeled mouse L929 cells. The degree of cytotoxicity of fresh and set materials was MTA least toxic followed by amalgam, Super EBA, and IRM. Based on the results of the cell culture methods used in this study it appears that MTA is a potential root end filling material and warrants further in vivo evaluations.