Comparative analysis of the radiopacity of MTA and Portland cement in conventional and digital radiographic systems

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed evaluates objectively the radiopacity of MTA and Portland Cement (PC) in conventional and digital radiographic systems. Methods: Five test specimens for each material had been confectioned with 10mm of diameter and 2mm of thickness and exposed on a E/F Kodak Insight film together with a lead plate and step wedge in a focus-film distance of 40cm, device of 70kVp, 8mA and time of exposition of 0,4 and 0,2 second for the conventional and digital system respectively. The optic densities were measured in the radiograph and the values of pixels, in the digital images. For each exposure a graph was made of the measured values versus mmAl, to generate a radiopacity curve of the step wedge steps, obtaining the correspondence in equivalence of mmAl of the studied materials. Results: The statistical test of Mann-Whitney showed statistical significant difference between the radiopacity of MTA and PC, whereas it did not between the gotten results in the radiographical systems. Conclusions: MTA can be used in odontologic clinic because showed radiopacity inside of the standards demanded by specification N○ 57 of the American National Standards/ American Dental Association, whereas PC, not. Therefore, it is necessary the addition of radiopacificators in PC in attempt to increase its radiopacity which is an essential property of odontologic cements.