Compressive Strength and Morphological Evaluation of α-Tricalcium Phosphate Based on Light-Activated Pulp Capping Material

Pulp Capping is one of the teeth treatments indicated with deep caries with or without involving the pulp. Pulp capping treatment itself is carried out by applying a material that can stimulate odontoblasts to form reparative dentin. The material commonly used for pulp capping treatment until recent is calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂]. However, Ca(OH)₂ has disadvantages, such as tunnel defects. One of the materials considered an innovation in pulp capping treatment is calcium phosphate incorporated into the resin matrix. Alpha Tricalcium Phosphate ( α-TCP) is one of the materials that meet the general requirements of a pulp capping agent. a -TCP has the ability to stimulate reparative dentin formation. In this study, 50% α-TCP, 10% Zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), 3-Trimetoxysilil propyl methacrylate (Silane), 30% Urethane Dimethacrylate (UDMA), 10% Triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), and Camphorquinone were employed as the composition, with matrix to filler ratio was 40:60. The control group is a commercial light-activated resin liner with Ca(OH)₂ filler. The compressive strength values were 98.53 ± 6.10 MPa for α-TCP Liner and 234.8 ± 19.32 for the control group. The morphological of the control group shows a more compact structure compared to the samples group. The composition of α-TCP Liner was still promising with the acceptance compressive strength and microstructure surface as a light-cured pulp capping material.