SEM and EDS findings
The internal microstructure of all test materials was examined using SEM after exposure to various storage media for different time periods (Fig. 
SEM images of cross-sections of two HCSCs: Biodentine (A1 - A5, B1 - B5) and WMTA (C1 - C5, D1 - D6), exposed to various environmental conditions: (A1 - D1) after 4 days setting with PBS (pH 7.4); (A2 - D2) after 14 days setting with PBS (pH 7.4); (A3 - D3) after 4 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4); (A4 - D4) after 14 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4); and (A5 - D5) after 4 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4) followed by 10 days setting with PBS. (A1 - A5, C1 - C5, × 500 magnification). (B1 - B5, D1 - D6, × 3,500 magnification). SEM images (B5, D6, ×3,500 magnification) of crystals in cross-section of each bioceramic cement and corresponding EDS analysis plots (A6, C6). Abbreviations: HCSCs: hydraulic calcium silicate-based cements; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; SEM: scanning electron microscope; WMTA: white mineral trioxide aggregate
SEM images of cross-sections of two CPSCs: ERRM Putty (A1 - A5, B1 - B6) and iRoot FS (C1 - C5, D1 - D6), exposed to various environmental conditions: (A1 - D1) after 4 days setting with PBS (pH 7.4); (A2 - D2) after 14 days setting with PBS (pH 7.4); (A3 - D3) after 4 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4); (A4 - D4) after 14 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4); and (A5 - D5) after 4 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4) followed by 10 days setting with PBS. (A1 - A5, C1 - C5, × 500 magnification). (B1 - B6, D1 - D6, × 3,500 magnification). SEM images (B6, D6, ×3,500 magnification) of crystals in cross-section of each bioceramic cement and corresponding EDS analysis plots (A6, C6). Abbreviations: CPSCs: calcium phosphate silicate-based cements; ERRM Putty: EndoSequence Root Repair Material Putty; iRoot FS: iRoot Fast Set Root Repair Material; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; SEM: scanning electron microscope
SEM images of cross-sections of IRM exposed to various environmental conditions: (A1 - B1) after 4 days setting with PBS (pH 7.4); (A2 - B2) after 14 days setting with PBS (pH 7.4); (A3 - B3) after 4 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4); (A4 - B4) after 14 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4); and (A5 - B5) after 4 days setting with butyric acid (pH 5.4) followed by 10 days setting with PBS. (A1 - A5, × 500 magnification). (B1 - B5, × 3,500 magnification). Abbreviations: IRM: intermediate restorative material; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; SEM: scanning electron microscopeBiodentine samples stored in PBS showed the appearance of spherical precipitates composed of small, fusiform-shaped crystals, and globular aggregate particles were embedded in the material (Fig. Both iRoot FS and ERRM Putty exposed to PBS exhibited flake-like and acicular structures, as well as spherule clusters, as part of the hydrated cements (Fig. IRM had larger and deeper pores compared to bioceramic materials under the experimental conditions. Moreover, no obvious crystalline structures were observed except on the surface of IRM samples after a 14-day exposure to PBS (Fig. According to the EDS analysis, set HCSCs were mainly composed of silica, calcium, oxygen, and a radiopacifier, which showed peaks for bismuth in WMTA and zirconium in Biodentine. The dominant elements of CPSCs were similar to calcium silicate-based cements, with the addition of phosphorus and radiopacifier zirconium, which were detected only in iRoot FS and ERRM Putty. When the test cements were set in PBS or butyric acid, the main elemental composition was almost the same. However, spherule clusters composed mainly of phosphorus, calcium, and oxygen, which indicated the formation of calcium phosphate, were not only displayed in iRoot FS and ERRM Putty samples but also in WMTA and Biodentine specimens exposed to PBS (Fig. 
SEM images (