| Introduction: MTA has been used in vital pulp therapy, repair of furcal and lateral perforations, as
an apical plug in non-vital teeth with open apices and also as a root-end filling material during
apical surgeries. However, one of its disadvantages is its long setting time. Various studies have
evaluated and suggested different techniques to decrease the setting time of MTA. In the present
study, MTA was evaluated with the use of different liquid-to-powder ratios.
Materials and methods: In the present in vitro study, the setting times of MTA were evaluated in
24 samples at 4 different liquid-to-powder ratios (0.26, 0.28, 0.3 and 0.33). Data were analyzed
with ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests.
Results: The means of setting times at 0.26 W/P, 0.28 W/P, 0.3 W/P and 0.33 W/P ratios were 102,
115, 152 and 186 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference in setting time between
0.26 and 0.28 liquid-to-powder ratios; however, an increase in W/P ratio from 0.28 to
0.3 and 0.33 resulted in a significant increase in setting time.
Conclusion: An increase in W/P ratio from 0.28 to 0.3 and 0.33 resulted in a significant increase in
setting time. |