The Myths and Facts of MTA

Ko,  Hyun-Jung

doi:2010.48.11.813

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 48(11); 2010 > Article

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2010;48(11):813-818.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22974/jkda.2010.48.11.004 Published online November 30, 2010.

MTA의 Myths & Facts

고현정

서울아산병원, 울산대학교 의과대학 치의학교실

The Myths and Facts of MTA

Hyun-Jung Ko

Asan Medical Center, Univ. of Uisan

Abstract

Since MTA has many beneficial properties such as biocompatibility, great sealing capacity, antibacterial effects, low cytotoxicity, and stimulation of formation of mineralized tissue, it has been widely used as the material of choice in root-end filling, apexification, pulpotomy, perforation repair and so on. However, despite its favorable characteristics, MTA presents working properties which are less than ideal. The resulting cement from the mixing of powder and water is difficult to manipulate, and its setting time has been reported to be 2 h 45 min whereas the working time is <4 minutes. Additional moisture is also required to activate the setting of the cement. Moreover, according to recent studies, the physical properties of MT A may be hampered by acidic environment or blood contamination. Therefore, practitioners may have surprisingly worse results than they expected when they are not fully acquainted with the characteristics and manipulation method of MTA.

Key Words: mineral trioxide aggregate;root perforation;apexification;root-end filling material;