Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
This study evaluated the effects of aspartic acid modification on the physicochemical properties and phosphate-associated surface response of a hydraulic calcium silicate cement.
Materials and methods
White mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was mixed using 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% (v/v) of a 4 g/L aspartic acid stock solution. Final setting time, solubility, pH, and Ca²⁺ concentration in the immersion solution were evaluated after seven days in deionized water (
n
= 10). Surface roughness, morphology, elemental composition, and phosphate- and carbonate-associated spectral features were assessed after 30 days of storage in deionized water or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The Ap/C spectral ratio was calculated from the integrated ATR-FTIR band areas. Data were analyzed using one- or two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (α = 0.05).
Results
The 25% formulation showed the shortest setting time, whereas the 100% formulation showed the longest (
p
p
Conclusions
Aspartic acid produced non-linear and formulation-dependent changes in the evaluated properties. Higher Ap/C ratios reflected differences in relative spectral composition but did not confirm increased apatite formation or a crystalline apatite phase. Ca–P-rich surface deposition depended on phosphate supplied by the storage medium, and no formulation improved all evaluated outcomes.