The Flexural Strength of Tricalcium silicate-White Portland Cement-Resin Versus Resin-Modified Calcium Silicate

The Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has been recommended for its effectiveness as a pulp capping material. However, this material has some weaknesses. TheraCal LC is a resin-modified calcium silicate-based developed to cover the MTA weaknesses. One of the important qualities of pulp capping materials is their flexural strength. Some studies show that white portland cement (WPC) and MTA share similar characteristics, yet the quality difference in WPC raw materials can affect its potential as a pulp capping material. The current research aims to find flexural strength value of the Tricalcium Silacate-White Portland Cement (TS-WPC)-Bi2O3-UDMA mixture and TheraCal LC and analyze their value differences. The pure experimental method was used in this research at a laboratory. The 32 samples were divided into 4, i.e., groups A (TS-WPC- Bi2O3-UDMA mixture), B (TS-WPC - Bi2O3-UDMA mixture submerged in ringer lactate), C (TheraCal LC), D (TheraCal LC submerged in ringer lactate). The flexural strength values were tested based on ISO 4049. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by a post hoc independent t-test. The mean values of flexural strength for groups A, B, C, and D were 77.260, 80.200, 48.525, and 17.579 respectively. Based on ANOVA, the data between groups were significant at a p-value <0.05. From the post hoc independent t-test, it was found that differences between groups B and D, groups D and C, groups D and A, groups C and A, and groups C and B were significant. The flexural strength value of the TS-WPC- Bi2O3-UDMA mixture was higher than that of TheraCal LC. This was because of the filler composition, the monomer used, and the addition of coupling agent silane.