Evaluation of the Effect of Adding Various Polymeric Rheological Agents on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Calcium Silicate Cement.

Objectives: The effect of polymer addition on the properties of calcium silicate cement (CSC) was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The powder component was based on calcium silicate. The liquid component contained distilled water (control group) and distilled water with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and polycarboxylate ether (PCE) polymers separately or in combination (PVA + PCE, PVP + PCE) at concentrations of 1 and 3 wt%. In addition to the evaluation of handling properties, some analyses were performed, including setting time, compressive strength, flowability, and injectability. The best-performing groups were selected as the final groups. The specimens were immersed in distilled water and simulated body fluid (SBF) for 1 and 7 days to evaluate the amount of calcium ion release, weight changes, and hydroxyapatite formation. One-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and Tukey tests were used for statistical analysis (α = 0.05). Results: Based on the handling evaluation and the results of the setting time, compressive strength, flowability, and injectability analyses, the PVA 3% and PVP 3% groups were selected as the optimal groups and subjected to further analysis. The PVA 3% group showed the highest calcium ion release after 1 day of immersion, while no significant difference was observed among the groups on the seventh day. All three groups (PVA 3 wt%, PVP 3 wt%, and control) showed the formation of calcium phosphate deposits after immersion in SBF. Conclusion: The use of PVA 3% and PVP 3% polymers separately in the liquid component of CSC improved the properties of this cement.