Analysis of arsenic in gray and white mineral trioxide aggregates by using atomic absorption spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the concentration of arsenic (As) released from gray or white mineral trioxide aggregates (MTAs) met the requirement of the International Standards Organization (ISO) for dental cements. METHODS Sample preparations were carried out according to the ISO methods. After centrifugation of dissolved samples, As (III) concentration in the final supernatant was analyzed by a high-performance atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS As (III) concentration from both MTAs was much less than the required value (2 ppm) for dental cements regulated by the ISO. An experiment simulating pulp capping by using MTA revealed that As concentration was also below the standard value of the ISO. The As concentration in white MTA was lower than the value (10 ppb) recommended for tap water and environmental standards. CONCLUSIONS The present in vitro studies demonstrated that there is no threat to patient health in using commercially available brands of MTA for endodontic practices.