The mostly used material in Endodontics as root-end filling or perforation as well as root canal sealers (MTA, mineral trioxide aggregate) and in orthopedic surgery to affix implants and to remodel bone loss (PMMA, polymethyl methacrylate), present respectively, some limiting properties such as: long setting time and high polymerization temperature. These drawbacks highlight the need of improvements in their compositions, as well as the development of alternative materials aiming to expand their applications. In this context, a novel biomaterial-based calcium aluminate cement (CAC) has been studied in order to keep the positive properties and clinical applications of MTA and PMMA, overcoming some their disadvantages. Recent studies involving the use of CAC are based on commercial products consisting of a mixture of phases. Improvements can be attained by searching the synthesis routes of CAC aiming the proper balance between the phases and the control of impurities that may impair its performance in applications in the areas of health. The production of CAC phases has been previously studied and this article present their characterization based on hydration temperature; working time/setting time and their influence on pH, ionic conductivity and solids concentration of water and different solutions of simulated body fluid in contact with these phases. The results indicated the CaO.Al2O3 (CA) and CaO.2Al2O3 (CA2) phases as the most suitable for the target applications.
calcium aluminate cement; temperature; setting time; pH; ionic conductivity; MTA; simulated body fluid
