OCTACALCIUM PHOSPHATE-MEDIATED CEMENT AS A ROOT CANAL FILLING MATERIAL FOR PRIMARY TEETH

: Octacalcium phosphate (OCP) has known to be a precursor phase of biological apatite in bones and teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate OCP-mediated cement as a root canal filling material for primary teeth. According to the characterization with X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), OCP-mediated cement has transformed into dentin-like carbonated hydroxyapatite 6weeks after immersion in medium with 30% fetal bovine serum. The canal sealing ability was estimated by dye penetration test. The penetration depth of India ink into the OCP-mediated cement decreased significantly with time. The sealing ability of OCP-mediated cement improves along with the apatite formation.