Introduction:

An experimental study was carried out to determine the osteoinductive effect of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) versus Portland Cement type I on mandibular bone lesions.

Methodology:

Twelve 3-month-old male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 4 equal groups. All rabbits were anesthetized using Pentobarbital. An incision of the mandibular skin was performed to expose the bone on which 3 cavities of 2mm each one were made.

In one cavity MTA was placed, in another Portland Cement type I and the third remained empty. The experimental groups were sacrificed at the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respective weeks and evaluated histologically by counting osteocytes and osteoblasts.

Results:

Both MTA and Portland cement have the same osteoinductive capacity in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd week (0.05 <p). Nonetheless, in the 4th week the MTA had greater osteoinductive capacity by stimulating a greater number of osteoblasts than the Portland Cement (p = 0.024).

Conclusions:

The MTA and Portland cement type I showed a similar osteoinductive effect during the first 3 weeks of evaluation, however, MTA had the greatest osteoinductive effect during the fourth week of evaluation.