Biological effects and washout resistance of a newly developed fast-setting pozzolan cement.
Mineral trioxide aggregate has been widely used as a retrograde filling material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of a newly developed fast-setting, mineral trioxide aggregate-derived pozzolan cement (Endocem). Furthermore, we explored whether this cement is resistant to washout in comparison with ProRoot. Biocompatibility was evaluated on the basis of cell morphology and a viability test. The expression of osteogenic genes was evaluated by performing real-time polymerase chain reaction, and calcified nodule formation was assessed by alizarin red S staining. The setting time was measured, and washout testing was performed by placing the material into fetal bovine serum. The biocompatibility and osteogenicity of Endocem were similar to those of ProRoot. Moreover, Endocem showed a higher resistance to washout than ProRoot did. These results suggest that Endocem can be used as an available retrograde filling material because it sets faster and shows similar biological effects when compared with ProRoot.