Determination of Lead, Arsenic and Chromium Contents in Two Types of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acid-soluble Arsenic, Lead, and Chromium contents in the two varieties of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. METHODOLOGY: Analysis of Arsenic, Lead, and Chromium in the two products of MTS [MProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus] were done using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry employing 2.4 mol/L of hydrochloric acid for digestion of materials. The test materials were subjected to incubate in water and simulated body fluid (SBF) so that the leach out metal ions from the material can also be quantified. Descriptive statistics reported along with ANOVA for comparison of quantitative analysis of Arsenic, Lead, and Chromium in the extracts of the two MTA products. One way ANOVA was applied to compare the leach out of metals over 15 days. Level of significance was kept at 0.05. RESULTS: Both varieties of MTA [ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus] leached out extracts into water and SBF showing lower values of Arsenic and Lead contents in accordance to the limit set by ISO 9917-1 (2007). However, extracts of both the products had comparatively higher amount of Chromium ions. CONCLUSIONS: The total amount of Arsenic, Chromium, and Lead released from the two cements were found to be far below than what is considered as clinically harmful. KEYWORDS: Chromium; Arsenic; Lead, heavy metals; Mineral trioxide aggregate HOW TO CITE: Khan TN, Khan FR. Determination of lead, arsenic and chromium contents in two types of mineral trioxide aggregate using atomic absorption spectrometry. J Pak Dent Assoc 2020;29(4):223-227.