MTA
Pronunciation: em-tee-ay
Also written as: MTA — Mineral Trioxide Aggregate
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate; a calcium silicate–based dental cement used for pulp capping, perforation repair, and root-end filling.
Full Definition
Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is a hydraulic calcium silicate cement composed primarily of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate, tricalcium aluminate, and bismuth oxide (added for radiopacity). It is biocompatible, sets in the presence of moisture, and promotes hard-tissue formation, making it the material of choice for vital pulp therapy and endodontic repair procedures. Editors must expand the abbreviation on first use and should ensure that product names marketed as 'MTA-like' or 'MTA-based' are distinguished from MTA proper. The term is sometimes incorrectly conflated with broad categories of 'bioceramic materials.'
Usage
Usage note: Always expand on first use. Do not use as a generic label for all calcium silicate cements; some proprietary materials differ chemically from original MTA.
In Context
- "On first use, the abbreviation MTA should be expanded to 'Mineral Trioxide Aggregate,' as required by journal style." — Copyediting checklist note
- "The manuscript compared MTA with a novel calcium silicate cement but failed to distinguish brand-specific formulations from the generic material class." — Peer-review editorial feedback