Review Article http://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijohd.2019.014 International Journal of Oral Health Dentistry, April-June, 2019;5(2):55-58 55 Review on biodentine: A boon to pediatric dentistry Deepashree Rajendraprasad Private Dental Practitioner, Shri Gayathri Dental Clinic, India *Corresponding Author: Deepashree Rajendraprasad Email: deepashree161094@gmail.com Abstract Biodentine TM , a new bioactive cement soon after its launch has drawn attention of all dental practitioners across the world for its superior characteristics. It is widely recommended for its wide spectrum of clinical applications in Pediatric dentistry. This literature review systematically summarizes the availability, composition, properties of biodentine. In nut shell, biodentine is able to function as a reliable alternative and comprises of a much brighter future outlook compared to the conventional cements which are being employed commonly. Keywords: Biodentine TM , Characteristics, Pediatric dentistry, Composition, Properties. Introduction From bygone days, Calcium hydroxide was the most preferred material for preserving the pulp vitality but due to its drawbacks like mild antibacterial properties, poor cohesive strength, greater solubility, and marginal leakage. 1 MTA was introduced in 1990. MTA was considered as a “GOLD STANDARD” material for defects related to dentin due to its excellent properties. But there existed shortcomings even with MTA such as not being cost effective, long setting time, 1,2 difficult handling properties 3 and its inherent tendency to undergo discolouration 4 which led to the pathway for the creation of a new calcium silicate based biomaterial called as ‘BIODENTINE’, introduced by Septodont’s research group [Saint Maur des Forses, France]. 5 It exhibited the identical excellent biocompatibility like that of MTA which can be placed in direct contact with the pulpal tissue, 6 high mechanical properties and good sealing ability with dentine. 7 As it fulfilled all the physiognomies of an ideal restorative material such as having good physical and mechanical properties, technical features of the material from the perspective of the dental professional, acceptability of the material by the patients, and other clinical features that lead to the material's effectiveness, it was rightly called as ‘Bioactive Dentine Substitute’ 8 ‘Dentine In Capsule’. 9 Soon after its unveiling, its applications are greatly utilized in the department of Pedodontics, Operative dentistry, Endodontics, and also in Periodontics. Availability It is existing in the market in the form of capsules containing powder and as pipettes filled with the liquid. 9 Composition: 8-11 Powder Liquid -Tricalcium silicate- Main core material -Dicalcium silicate- Second core material -Calcium carbonate and oxide – Filler -Iron oxide- Colouring agent -Zirconium oxide – Radio –opacifier -Calcium chloride: Accelerator -Hydrosoluble polymer – Water reducing agent /super –plasticizing agent. Manipulation Working time- Upto 6 minutes. 5 Final setting time – 10 to12 minutes. 5 Biodentine can be manipulated by two methods namely the mechanical and the manual method. In mechanical method, both powder and liquid are added and mixed together for 30 seconds in a triturator. In manual method, a mixing pad is taken and both liquid and powder are blend well with spatula for about 30 -45 seconds. 5 Setting Reaction When liquid and powder is mixed together, chemical reaction begins where calcium silicate and water reacts thus resulting in hardening of the cement. Therefore, final products of this process are hydrated calcium silicate gel [CSH gel] [CSH= 3CaO.2SiO2.3H2O] and calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2]. 7 2 [3 CaO.SiO2 ] + 6H2O  3CaO.SiO2.3H2O + 3 Ca(OH)2 Properties Compressive Strength Grech et al conducted a study which calculated the compressive strength of biodentine in Hank’s balanced salt solution to be 67.18 Mpa when immersed which was relatively much more higher than MTA which has 40 Mpa. 7 Elastic Modulus Biodentine has 22.0 Mpa very similar to dentine which has 18.5. 25 Microhardness It is a very important property which determines whether the dental material is very hard or brittle for clinical application. The Vickers mean microhardness value was 62.35 [+/- 11.55] HV which is 2.5 times higher than the ProRoot MTA. 17 Flexural Strength This property is essential in order to estimate whether the material is capable of withstanding high stress or pressure. When compared to dentine which has a flexural strength of 20 Mpa, biodentine is known to have 34 Mpa which was estimated using three point bending test after 2 hours. 7