| Abstract Scope |
Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) serves as dental filling materials and consists mainly of Portland cement (75%), bismuth oxide (20%), and others. Bismuth oxide is rare-earth metal oxide and serves as radiopacifier within MTA. Concerning the replacement of bismuth oxide, zirconium oxide and tantalum oxide with their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibilities are among the best potential materials. In the present study, composite (BiO2)100-x(ZrO2 or Ta2O5)x (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20) powder were prepared by high energy ball milling process. After 3hrs of milling, the as-milled composite powder were further heat treated at 400 oC for 2 hours. The as-milled and heat-treated powder were then mixed with Portland cement and deionized water to prepare MTA. Experimental results showed that a significant improvement in radiopacity of MTA can be achieved using as-milled composite powder. The MTA prepared by 3h as-milled (BiO2)95(Ta2O5)5 powder exhibited the best radiopacity. |