Mineral trioxide aggregate" is a cementitious material, which is popular by its trade name MTA. MTA is a powder mixture of Portland cement clinker, bismuth oxide, and gypsum. It has gained a lot of importance in dentistry in recent years. This importance is because of its extensive use as apical restorative material as well as a medicament for Apexogenesis and Apexification treatment. As it sets by hydration process, the by products of insoluble calcium silicate hydrate and alkaline calcium hydroxide offer unique stability and potential to enhance hard tissue regeneration. This article reviewed the composition, types, properties of MTA and also its applications in the clinical dentistry.
A series of events leads to loss of tooth structure by dental caries, tooth wear and trauma, which is often replaced by inert dental materials that replace the bulk of the tooth. If pulp health is affected, a series of interventions need to be undertaken. Initially, the pulp vitality needs to be maintained. Later, elimination of infection and filling of the pulp space is necessary. When pulpal involvement occurs the choice of material has to change, and materials that interact with the pulp are indicated. Interactive materials used for dental procedures include calcium hydroxide in its various presentations and hydraulic calcium silicate cement. Biodentine is a promising dentine substitute that has been recently introduced in dentistry. Although many other materials like Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC), composite and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) are available for repair of dentin loss in tooth structure, none of them possesses ideal properties. Despite many advantages, MTA has been replaced by Biodentine, which is a new calcium silicate -based material, due to its limitations. It has good handling properties, short setting time, and improved mechanical properties. Biodentine was designed explicitly as a "dentine replacement," with applications ranging from endodontic repair to pulp capping.
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