Short-term Effect of Four Root Filling Materials on the Flexural Strength of Human Root Dentin

Background: This study aimed to assess the effects of calcium hydroxide, Biodentine, calcium-enriched mixture (CEM) cement, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on root dentin flexural strength after a 30-day exposure period. Methods: This in vitro experimental study evaluated 25 freshly extracted sound human incisors with no caries or restorations. The apical 5 mm and the coronal two-thirds of the crowns were cut such that all samples had 10 mm length. Dentin samples (n=20 in each group) were then exposed to 2 mm thickness of calcium hydroxide, Biodentine, CEM cement, MTA, or saline (control) in petri dishes for 30 days. Finally, dentin samples were subjected to a three-point bending test after the intervention, and the flexural strength data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s test, and t test. Results: Thirty-day exposure to all four biomaterials decreased the flexural strength of root dentin (P0.05). Conclusions: In general, all four tested biomaterials decrease the dentin strength although this reduction is more prominent by calcium hydroxide.