Gandolfi MG, Taddei P, Siboni F, Modena E, GinebraMP, Prati C. Fluoride-containing nanoporous calcium-silicateMTA cements for endodontics and oral surgery: early fluorapatiteformation in a phosphate-containing solution. InternationalEndodontic Journal, 44, 938–949, 2011.Aim To test the chemical–physical properties andapatite-forming ability of experimental fluoride-dopedcalcium silicate cements designed to create novelbioactive materials for use in endodontics and oralsurgery.Methodology A thermally treated calcium silicatecement (wTC) containing CaCl2 5%wt was modified byadding NaF 1%wt (FTC) or 10%wt (F10TC). Cementswere analysed by environmental scanning electronmicroscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, IRand micro-Raman spectroscopy in wet conditionsimmediately after preparation or after ageing in aphosphate-containing solution (Dulbecco’s phosphatebufferedsaline). Calcium and fluoride release and pH ofthe storage solution were measured. The resultsobtained were analysed statistically (Tukey’s HSD testand two-way anova).Results The formation of calcium phosphate precipitates(spherulites) was observed on the surface of24 h-aged cements and the formation of a thickbone-like B-type carbonated apatite layer (biocoating)on 28 day-aged cements. The rate of apatite formationwas FTC & F10TC & wTC. Fluorapatite wasdetected on FTC and F10TC after 1 day of ageing,with a higher fluoride content on F10TC. All thecements released calcium ions. At 5 and 24 h, thewTC had the significantly highest calcium release(P & 0.001) that decreased significantly over thestorage time. At 3–28 days, FTC and F10TC hadsignificantly higher calcium release than wTC(P & 0.05). The F10TC had the significantly highestfluoride release at all times (P & 0.01) that decreasedsignificantly over storage time. No significant differenceswere observed between FTC and wTC. All thecements had a strong alkalinizing activity (OH)release) that remained after 28 days of storage.Conclusions The addition of sodium fluoride acceleratedapatite formation on calcium silicate cements.Fluoride-doped calcium silicate cements had higherbioactivity and earlier formation of fluorapatite. Sodiumfluoride may be introduced in the formulation ofmineral trioxide aggregate cements to enhance theirbiological behaviour. F-doped calcium silicate cementsare promising bone cements for clinical endodontic use.