Compressive Strength of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Calcium-enriched Mixture Cement Mixed with Propylene Glycol.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the compressive strength (CS) of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement when mixed with propylene glycol (PG).

Methods and Materials: Twenty four custom-made split molds with 5 holes in each were prepared. Molds were allocated into eight groups ( n =15 holes) as follows: Groups 1,5: CEM and MTA mixed with PG (100%), Groups 2,6: CEM and MTA mixed with PG (20% )+CEM or MTA liquid (80%) respectively, Groups 3,7: CEM and MTA mixed with PG (50% )+CEM or MTA liquid (50% ) respectively, Groups 4,8: CEM and MTA mixed with CEM or MTA liquid respectively as control groups. All specimens were kept in 37° C in an incubator and the compressive strength was evaluated after 7 days. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis and Dunne tests. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

Results: In all concentration of PG, MTA samples showed better results than CEM cement. In CEM samples, adding 20% PG could significantly increase the compressive strength in comparison with control group and 100% PG ( P =0.047 and P =0.011, respectively). In MTA samples, adding 100% and 50% PG significantly increased the compressive strength of the cement in comparison with control group ( P =0.037 and, P =0.005, respectively).

Conclusion: Considering the limitations of the present study, appropriate concentration of PG could improve the CS of MTA and CEM cement.