Tooth discoloration induced by calcium-silicate-based pulp-capping materials

Abstract

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate tooth discoloration induced by contact with various calcium silicate-based pulp capping materials in the presence or absence of blood in vitro.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty bovine samples were divided into six experimental groups and two control groups according to the type of material used (ProRoot [PR], Endocem [EC], or EndocemZr [ECZ]) and the presence or absence of contamination with blood. A spectrophotometer was used to calculate the color difference (ΔE) between the baseline measurement (after placement of materials) and measurements taken 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks. The results were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance, Tukey's post-hoc tests and independent t-tests (P = 0.05).

Results:

The PR group and EC group showed significantly higher mean values of ΔE than the negative control group after 2 weeks (P < 0.05), whereas ECZ did not. There were larger ΔE values when there was contact with blood, especially in PR and EC group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

ECZ which contains zirconium oxide as a radiopacifier showed less discoloration irrespective of blood contamination compared to PR and EC.

INTRODUCTION

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a useful material for vital pulp therapy, such as pulp capping and pulpotomy.[1,2,3,4,5] In these clinical situations, MTA is used in a coronal position; therefore, the color of MTA is considered key to the final esthetic result.[6] In the 1990s, Torabinejad et al. introduced gray MTA (GMTA), which has a similar chemical constitution to that of Portland cement except for the addition of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) (17–18 wt%) to improve radioopacity.[7,8] Despite its favorable biological features, GMTA causes tooth discoloration as well as discoloration of the adjacent gingiva.[4,6] Because of this aesthetic problem, white MTA (WMTA) was developed through the exclusion of iron compounds rather than by the addition of other elements (ProRoot (PR); Dentsply, Tulsa, OK, USA).[9] However, there have been many reports of tooth discoloration with PR.[10,11,12] Recently, Belobrov and Parashos reported a case of tooth discoloration after use of WMTA as a pulp-capping material.[13]

In response to these issues, a pozzolan-based MTA-derived material (Endocem (EC); Maruchi, Wonju, Korea) was introduced into the endodontic market. The advantages of EC are its reduced setting time and improved washout resistance.[14,15] Furthermore, the biocompatibility and osteogenicity/odontogenicity of EC are similar to those of PR.[15,16] However, there is still the possibility of tooth discoloration when using this material. Recent studies of color stability of WMTA have suggested that the formation of metallic bismuth under light irradiation can lead to color change.[17,18] Thus, the use of an alternative radiopacifier to replace bismuth in WMTA is needed.[19] Recently, the manufacturer that produces EC released another fast-setting pozzolan cement that contains zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) as a radiopacifier (EndocemZr [ECZ]; Maruchi) to overcome the gray color of original EC. It has been reported that ZrO₂ has acceptable radiopacity[20] and does not participate in the hydration reaction of Portland cement.[21] Recently, the addition of 30% ZrO₂ to PC exhibited physical and antimicrobial properties comparable to those of PC.[22,23] However, there is little information about the effect of ECZ on tooth discoloration.

In various clinical situations, such as pulp capping and perforation repair, MTA or MTA-derived materials are often applied in contact with blood. It is generally believed that blood can cause tooth discoloration.[24,25] Furthermore, even blood in the root canal adjacent to the WMTA has been shown to influence discoloration.[26] Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate tooth discoloration induced by contact with various calcium silicate-based pulp-capping materials in the presence or absence of blood in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tooth preparation

A total of 80 intact bovine incisors were used in this study. Exclusion criteria were the presence of caries, visible structural defects, coronal staining, and narrow crown width (labial surface area > 10 × 10 mm²). The samples were formed with reference to a new model introduced by a previous study, as shown in Figure 1.[27] Briefly, the teeth were disinfected in 1% chloramine-T solution (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) and stored in normal saline at room temperature for 1-month. The roots were resected using a diamond-coated disc, and extrinsic stains and calculus on the labial surface were removed with an ultrasonic scaler. A cuboid enamel-dentin block (10 mm × 10 mm × 3.5 mm) was prepared from the middle third of each crown using a low-speed microtome (ISOMET, Buehler, IL, USA). The labial enamel surface was finished and polished with 220, 600, 1200, and 2000-grit abrasive papers (CC261; DEERFOS, Seoul, Korea). The height of each block was standardized at 3.5 mm ± 0.1 mm. Then, a box-form cavity (6 mm × 6 mm × 1.5 mm) was prepared with a #330 carbide bur in the middle of each specimen, leaving 2 mm of the labial tooth structure (1 mm each of enamel and dentin). Sodium hypochlorite (1.5% NaOCl) irrigation solution was placed in the cavity for 30 min, and 17% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA; PrevestDentpro, Jammu, India) was applied for 2 min to remove the smear layer and to expose the dentinal tubules. Cavities were irrigated with a final rinse of 1% NaOCl and saline. All specimens were stored in a container at 100% relative humidity.

Figure 1.

A standardized cuboid enamel-dentin block (10 mm × 10 mm × 3.5 mm), which was prepared by removing the middle third of a bovine incisor

Blood collection

Human blood was used to simulate the clinical situation of vital pulp therapy. In this study, whole blood was collected from a volunteer (experimenter). The blood collection tubes (Vacuette®; Greiner Bio-One, Kremsmünster, Austria) were sterile and spray-coated with the anticoagulant K₂EDTA to prevent clotting.

Sample preparation for experimental and control groups

The three materials included in this study were PR, EC, and ECZ [Table 1]. The specimens were randomly divided into six experimental groups and two control groups according to the material used and the presence or absence of contamination with blood [Table 2]. Each material was mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and was placed into the cavity. In the blood-contaminated groups, 5 μL of blood was placed on top of the material. A negative control (NC) was filled with a cotton pellet moistened with normal saline, and a positive control was filled with a cotton pellet moistened with blood. Then, the cavities were sealed with a self-adhesive resin material (U-Cem Universal; Vericom, Chuncheon, Korea). An LED curing light (Elipar™ S10; 3M ESPE, Munich, Germany) was used to irradiate the specimens for 20 s. All specimens were stored at room temperature and 100% relative humidity.

Table 1.

Composition of tested materials

Table 2.

Teeth and materials in experimental and control groups

Evaluation of tooth discoloration

As shown in Figure 2, a standardized acrylic resin mold was developed to allow measurement of the same position in each sample and to increase reproducibility. The sample was positioned in the standardized mold and adjusted to a reference line. The tooth color was recorded at baseline (D₀; after tooth preparation and placement of materials) and at 1-week (D₇), 2 weeks (D₁₄), 4 weeks (D₂₈), and 8 weeks (D₅₆) using a spectrophotometer (NF999; Nippon Denshoku, Tokyo, Japan). All measurements were repeated three times and averaged. The color differences (ΔE) between the baseline and the D₇, D₁₄, D₂₈, D₅₆ measurements were calculated using the following formula: ΔE = ([L * ₂ – L * ₁]²+ [a * ₂ – a* ₁]² + [b * ₂ – b * ₁]²]^1/2. The value of the luminosity (L*) represents the lightness values, a* represents the values of red-green, and b* represents the values of yellow-blue.

Figure 2.

Standardized acrylic resin mold used to repeatedly measure the same position in each sample

Stereomicroscopic observation of representative samples

In each group, a representative sample was selected and sectioned in the center by using a low-speed microtome (ISOMET). The sectioned surface was examined under a stereomicroscope (Leica MZ16FA; Leica, Wezler, Germany).

Statistical analysis

The data were evaluated using SPSS Software (PASW Statistics 20; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance to examine the ΔE values as the dependent variables and time as a factor. Tukey's post hoc test was used to assess significant differences between the tested materials. Independent t-test was applied to determine the influence of blood contamination. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for the tests.

RESULTS

Color differences (ΔE) of teeth in contact with the tested materials

The mean, standard deviation, and significance of the color differences are shown in Figure 3. When the ΔE value is higher than 3.3, it is possible to distinguish the color difference of the tooth.[28] After 1 week, the ΔE value was higher than 3.3 in all experimental groups. We observed that all teeth experienced color alteration after contact with the tested materials. The PR group and EC group showed significantly higher mean values than the NC group after 2 weeks and 1 week, respectively (P < 0.05). On the contrary, in the ECZ group, the color of the tested specimens was not significantly different from that of the NC, with the exception of data at D₇ (P > 0.05).

Figure 3.

ΔE Values for the different groups at the different time points (group 1–4). The values of ΔE >3.3 are considered appreciable by non-skilled persons. The same letters indicate statistically similar groups (P = 0.05)

Color differences (ΔE) of teeth in contact with the materials and blood

There were larger color differences (ΔE value) when in contact with blood irrespective of time or type of material [Figure 4]. In comparison with the positive control, the color changes of all experimental groups were not significantly different at most time points (P > 0.05). After 2 weeks, the PR/B group showed a higher ΔE value than the ECZ/B group; however, a significant difference was only observed at D₅₆ (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the EC/B group (G7) showed a larger color difference than the ECZ/B group, but the difference was only significant at D₂₈ (P < 0.05).

Figure 4.

ΔE Values for the different blood contaminated groups at the different time points (group 5–8). The values of ΔE >3.3 are considered appreciable by non-skilled persons. The same letters indicate statistically similar groups (P = 0.05)

DISCUSSION

Discoloration of anterior teeth is an esthetic concern. Several case reports have revealed discoloration produced by MTA when the material was used as a pulp-capping or pulpotomy agent.[4,13,29] However, few studies have evaluated the discoloration of various MTA-derived materials, especially ZrO₂-containing materials. In the present study, the ΔE value was higher than 3.3 in all experimental groups after 1-week [Figure 3]. We observed all teeth to have experienced color alteration after contact with MTA materials, which is consistent with findings of previous studies.[26,27] The present study showed that the PR and EC groups experienced significantly more discoloration than the NC group after 2 weeks. However, there were no significant color changes between the ECZ group and the NC. A possible explanation for these results is that the Bi₂O₃ included in PR and EC causes discoloration. One possible mechanism of this change is that the Bi₂O₃ interacts with collagen in dentin and is converted to a black precipitate in the material-dentin interface. A recent investigation showed that collagen, which is present in organic dentin matrix, reacts with Bi₂O₃, resulting in grayish discoloration.[19] Another hypothesis to explain the discoloration is the formation of metallic bismuth under specific conditions. Irradiated Bi₂O₃ under oxygen-free conditions is excited and changed to dark grayish metallic bismuth.[17] A recent study also reported that contact of WMTA and other bismuth-containing materials with NaOCl produces a change to a darker color because the oxide is converted to bismuth metal in contact with sodium hypochlorite and oxygen is lost.[30]

Our stereomicroscopic examination of the PR group revealed grayish discoloration in the interfacial dentin and the material itself [Figure 5a]. However, the color of the EC changed the color of the specimen to dark gray [Figure 5b]. A recent in vitro study supported our results that significant discoloration occurs in the cervical area in the presence of PR, MTA Angelus, and EC.[31] One possibility is that the organic matrix in the dentin surface reacts with Bi₂O₃, a possible major factor contributing to discoloration, and the remaining NaOCl solution in the cavities of the specimens might exacerbate the change in color through reaction with the Bi₂O₃ included in the PR and EC. On the other hand, in the present study, the color of the ECZ group remained relatively stable according to spectrophotometric [Figure 3] and stereomicroscopic analyses [Figure 5c]. These results might be explained by the inclusion of ZrO₂ as a radiopacifier instead of Bi₂O₃, as well as the light color of the material itself. In other words, aside from the original dark color of the material, calcium silicate-based materials containing Bi₂O₃ undergo discoloration under conditions that simultaneously include contact with an organic dentin matrix, an oxygen-free environment, and irradiation with a curing light. Therefore, when selecting pulp-capping materials for areas of aesthetic concern, ECZ, which includes ZrO₂ rather than Bi₂O₃, might be a better option.

Figure 5.

Stereomicroscopic appearance of a representative sample from each group after 8 weeks; (a) PR, (b) EC, (c) ECZ, (d) negative control, (e) ProRoot with blood, (f) EC with blood, (g) ECZ with blood, and (h) positive control. (i) Samples show the initial color of each material; PR: ProRoot, EC: Endocem, ECZ: EndocemZr

The sequential color change (ΔE) of teeth in contact with materials and blood is presented in Figure 4. The specimens showed an increased ΔE value after contamination with blood at each time point. However, a significant difference was observed in the PR/B and EC/B groups only after 8 weeks. On stereomicroscopic examination, the PR/B specimen [Figure 5e] showed greater discoloration of the material itself, demonstrating a dark orange to gray color change. This result is in agreement with the findings of a previous study that reported greater discoloration of the WMTA/blood group compared to the WMTA/saline group.[26] Therefore, we conclude that the presence of blood within the cavity exacerbates tooth discoloration induced by MTA-based pulp capping materials. One possible mechanism may be the interaction between erythrocytes in the blood and the unset MTA-based pulp-capping materials. Incompletely set materials may allow absorption of blood and hemolysis of erythrocytes from the vital pulp tissue.[26] However, EC is known as a fast setting material, eliminating the possibility of this explanation here. Another hypothesis is that the material includes Bi₂O₃ as a radiopacifier, which might result in progressive mass darkening due to interaction with the organic matrix in blood. However, after 8 weeks, the discoloration value of the ECZ group was not significant regardless of the presence or absence of blood. We speculated that, because ECZ is a fast setting material, it does not allow for absorption of blood, and it does not include Bi₂O₃, which might explain the absence of progressive discoloration of the specimens. Consequently, the PR/B and EC/B groups showed greater discoloration compared with the ECZ group, and contamination with blood adversely affected the color stability of the tooth. However, the exact mechanism remains unknown, indicating the need for additional research.

In this study, bovine incisors were used to evaluate tooth discoloration because they have many advantages compared with human teeth. First, a sufficient number of intact incisors can be obtained. Second, the number of tubules per mm² and the tubule diameter of bovine incisors are not significantly different than those of the coronal dentin of human teeth.[32] Furthermore, bovine incisors have wide and flat surfaces; therefore, a standardized sample can be easily obtained. Although bovine incisors have been widely used as specimens for in vitro studies of discoloration, there is a need for additional research using human incisors.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of the present study, we concluded that the largest color alteration was observed in the presence of PR and EC compared to ECZ. Furthermore, the presence of blood within the cavity adjacent to the materials exacerbated tooth discoloration induced by MTA-based pulp-capping materials. However, the type and compounds of the MTA-based pulp-capping material play the most significant role in the discoloration. Therefore, ECZ induces less discoloration and has the potential as an alternative pulp-dressing material for use in aesthetically sensitive areas. However, more research is required to evaluate the color stability of MTA-based materials in clinical settings.