In vitro self‐setting properties, bioactivity, and antibacterial ability of a silicate‐based premixed bone cement

The clinical use of cements in root canal treatment needs the dentist to mix the powders and liquid phase thoroughly. The operation not only increases the surgery time but also compromises the performance of cement in case of inhomogeneous or insufficient mixing. To overcome those drawbacks, a premixed tricalcium silicate cement (C3S) was prepared by mixing tricalcium silicate/calcium chloride (C3S/CaCl2) composites with polyethylene glycol (PEG). It was found that the setting time could be modulated by changing the content of CaCl2 in the solid phase and the liquid to solid ratio (L/P). In addition, the premixed pastes retained the bioactivity of C3S, such as the ability to induce apatite formation in simulated oral fluid and to promote the proliferation and the alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Meanwhile, the injected pastes showed good antibacterial ability against Staphylococcus aureus. It is thus expected that the premixed C3S/CaCl2 pastes hold great promise as a new type of materials for dental application.