Mineral trioxide aggregate, or MTA, is a new material developed for endodontics that appears to be a significant improvement over other materials for procedures in bone. It is the first restorative material that consistently allows for the overgrowth of cementum, and it may facilitate the regeneration of the periodontal ligament.In this article, we review the current dental literature on MTA, discussing its composition, physical,chemical and biological properties and clinical characteristics.