In vitro evaluation of the cytotoxicity of ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus

Abstract

The purpose of the present in vitro study was to compare the cytotoxic effect of two commercially available brands of mineral trioxide cement (ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus), modified zinc oxide-eugenol cement (SuperEBA) and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitrebond) using rat pulp cells (RPC-C2A) and human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). The cells were cultured in typical culture conditions and exposed to the tested materials by adaptation of insert wells. The cytotoxic effect was recorded at two observation periods (24 and 72 h) by using a colorimetric assay of tetrazolium reduction (XTT method) in reference to controls. Overall, the degree of cytotoxic effect in ascending order was ProRoot MTA - MTA Angelus < SuperEBA < Vitrebond. Both MTA materials tested exerted mild suppression of cellular mitochondrial activity and may be characterized as biologically inert materials.