George S. Schuster

Correlation of cytotoxicity, filler loading and curing time of dental composites.

Previous studies have shown that dental resin composites tested in cell culture produce cytotoxic effects on human gingival tissues. In this study, the cytotoxic potential of resin composites on primary human gingival fibroblast cultures was evaluated, based on inhibition of cellular protein synthesis measured by [35S] methionine incorporation. Both resin content and percentage of monomer conversion were considered as potential causes of cytotoxicity. Three resin composites were selected to provide a range of filler content from 45 to 86 wt%. Duplicate sample discs (1 mm thick x 10 mm diameter) of each composite were polymerized for 15, 30 and 60 s, followed by heat (110 degrees C, 10 min), and the degree of monomer conversion for each sample group was measured using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry. Identically fabricated discs were placed into 35 mm culture dishes with gingival fibroblasts and incubated for 24 h at 37 degrees C. The cell monolayers then were labelled at 24 h with [35S] methionine, washed and solubilized; then incorporated radioactivity was quantitated by liquid scintillation spectrometry. For each composite, as the percentage of monomer conversion increased, cellular toxicity decreased. In comparing different composites having similar monomer conversions, it was found that the filler/resin ratio was not the only factor determining the composites relative toxicity.

Bacterial Penetration of Human Dentin in vitro

The ability of bacteria to penetrate acid-etched and unetched human dentin was examined in vitro using a split chamber. Results indicate that bacteria can grow through or be filtered by pressure through acid-etched dentin. Unetched dentin, while permitting fluid filtration, restricts bacterial penetration. Penetration of dentin tubules by bacteria reduces the rate of fluid filtration across dentin.

Estrogenicity of bisphenol A and bisphenol A dimethacrylate in vitro

Although pit and fissure sealants have been utilized extensively in dentistry as a way of preventing occlusal caries, results described by Olea et al. (1996) raised concerns about the safety of sealants and other resin-based dental materials due to the reported presence of bisphenol A (BPA) and its dimethacrylate ester (BPA-DM). Although the release of these compounds from dental materials has not been substantiated by two subsequent studies, we believed it was important to confirm or refute the report that BPA and BPA-DM have estrogenic activity in vitro. We grew breast cancer cells (MCF-7, T-47D, ZR-75-1) known to proliferate under estrogenic stimulation in phenol red-free DMEM containing human serum and concentrations of BPA or BPA-DM ranging from 10(-8)M to 5 x 10(-6)M. After 1 week, plates were harvested for crystal violet or sulforhodamine-B assays, and the optical densities of groups of treated cells were compared with values from control cells. At concentrations at or above 10(-6)M, both BPA and BPA-DM significantly increased cell proliferation (p < 0.05), comparable to the increase seen with 10(-9)M of estrogen. Flow cytometric methods demonstrated that these mitogenic effects occurred within 24 h of exposure to estrogen, BPA, or BPA-DM. The increase in DNA synthesis was analogous to that seen with estrogen stimulation. Thus, we confirmed that BPA and BPA-DM cause cell proliferation at micromolar concentrations that exceed the effective concentrations of estrogen by 1 to 10,000-fold.

Effect of Heating Delay on Conversion and Strength of a Post-cured Resin Composite

Physical property enhancement in light-cured resin composites from post-cure heating is attributed to free radicals created during initial photocuring, the number of which decreases following initial light-curing. Clinically, it is important to know when the number of remaining free radicals is too low to provide for additional conversion of monomer in post-cure-heated specimens. The hypothesis tested is that the potential for additional conversion in post-cure-heated resin composite restorations is dependent upon the time after initial light-curing at which the specimen is exposed to heat treatment. This research examined the effect of delay in post-cure heating after initial photo-activation on strength and monomer conversion of a commercial resin composite material. Discs (10 x 1 mm) of Herculite XRV (Kerr/Sybron, Orange, CA) were photocured at standardized conditions. One group was left unheated, and another was subjected to post-cure heating (Brilliant DI-500, Coltene AG, Altstatten, Switzerland) at the following times after being light-cured : 5 and 30 min, and 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hrs. After the appropriate delay time, unheated and heated specimens (n = 10) were tested for biaxial flexural strength at a constant stressing rate. Recovered, fractured strength specimens (n = 10) were analyzed for cure by means of IR spectroscopy. Post-cure heating increased strength over that of the unheated specimens only for the shortest delay times: 5 or 30 min. Thereafter, strength values were statistically equivalent (p < 0.05). Delay in heating did not significantly enhance strength of post-cure-heated specimens, but delay in time did improve strength of the unheated groups. The greatest monomer conversion was obtained when post-cure heating was applied within 6 hrs following light-curing. The difference in cure between unheated and heated specimens remained significant up to 96 hrs of delay. Flexural strength of post-cure-heated specimens remained unchanged with time delay for heating specimens. Maximal monomer conversion of post-cured specimens is obtained only within 6 hrs of light-curing. The potential for additional conversion arising from post-cure heat treatment is dependent upon the time following initial curing at which heat is applied following initial light-curing. However, delay in heat application has no influence on flexural strength.

Clinical progress of sealed and unsealed caries. Part I: Depth changes and bacterial counts

1. A method for measuring depth changes in carious lesions has been developed. 2. A method for estimating bacterial viability in the study lesions has been developed. 3. Sealed cavities showed little or no change in depth over a 1-year period. 4. Open lesions showed a significant increase in depth as compared to sealed lesions. 5. Elimination or marked decrease in viable organisms under the sealant occurred.

Identification and characterization of estrogen-like components in commercial resin-based dental restorative materials.

Abstract Recently, resin-based dental restorative materials have been targeted as potential sources of xenoestrogens, specifically bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol A dimethacrylate (BAD), which could contribute to overall estrogen load and result in deleterious side effects. The present study used high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) to analyze twenty-eight different commercially available dental resins for the presence of BPA and/or BAD. In addition, sublines of the MCF-7 human breast tumor cell line were cultured in the presence of eluates from eleven of the dental resins and assessed for proliferative responses using the sulforhodamine B assay. Only one resin, Delton II, had detectable levels of BPA or BAD that could be verified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Likewise, eluates from Delton II were the only samples that elicited a significant proliferative response in two of the MCF-7 sublines tested. Therefore, we conclude that dental resins in general do not represent a significant source of BPA or BAD exposure.

Glass ionomer and composite resin cements: Effects on oral cells

Because the cement interfaces of restorations can approximate the periodontium, it is critical to determine the biocompatibility of cements. In this study, the cytotoxic potential of resin luting agents on cultures of gingival fibroblasts and oral epithelial cells was evaluated for direct microscopic cytotoxicity, cell morbidity, impaired adherence, and inhibition of macromolecular synthesis. Visible effects ranged from severe toxicity with inadequately polymerized composite resin to no detectable morphologic cell damage by a glass ionomer cement, but inhibition of protein and RNA synthesis varied with the material and cell type. The glass ionomer cement demonstrated no morphologic damage, but exhibited inhibition of macromolecular synthesis in gingival fibroblasts. These results confirmed that in vitro metabolic assays are appropriate for examining the biologic effects of materials.

Lipopolysaccharide affinity for titanium implant biomaterials

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affinity for titanium implant biomaterials could affect crevicular LPS concentrations and thereby influence periimplant inflammation. PURPOSE OF STUDY The purpose of this study was to evaluate Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli LPS affinity for titanium biomaterials groups that differed in surface oxide composition and surface roughness. MATERIAL AND METHOD Polished and abraded grade 1 commercially pure titanium and grade 5 alloyed extra low interstitial titanium specimens were treated with 10 EU/mm2 and radiolabeled LPS. RESULTS The resultant mean +/- SD LPS adherence values ranged from 4.17 +/- 0.29 to 4.79 +/- 0.40 EU/ mm2. No difference in adherence and elution was indicated on the basis of LPS type, surface oxide composition, or surface roughness. Moreover, P. gingivalis and F. coli LPS desorption was below detection. CONCLUSION Clinically, the high affinity of both LPS types for titanium biomaterials may adversely influence the periimplant tissue response.

Sodium hypochlorite disinfection of irreversible hydrocolloid impression material

Alginate impression material is one of the most frequently used in dentistry. However, this material is susceptible to dimensional distortion during disinfection because of its hydrophilic nature. This study examined the effects of alginate disinfection using a sodium hypochlorite spray or impression immersion. Spray disinfection of an alginate impression did not cause dimensional differences of the poured stone casts when compared with casts from water-rinsed controls. Immersion disinfection created dimensional distortion of the anterior, posterior, and interarch model segments. Both the spray and immersion treatments equally decreased the surface detail reproducibility. The antimicrobial effects of the spray treatment were similar to those of the immersion treatment, while mere water rinsing resulted in inadequate disinfection.

Cytotoxicity of eluates from light-polymerized denture base resins

This study examined the metabolic effects of eluates from four light-polymerized denture base resins and one heat-polymerized denture base resin on oral epithelial cells in vitro. The eluate was cell culture medium that contained either or both of apparently nonpolymerized components and reaction products that diffused out of the resin samples. Eluates were prepared by daily transfer of sample disks in a cell culture medium over 10 days. Toxicity of eluates was tested immediately after transfer (fresh) and after storage for 30 days (aged) by use of radioisotope incorporation and cell viability studies. The fresh eluates inhibited cell metabolism, whereas the aged eluates stimulated then inhibited the responses. Results suggest that the components that leach out of the tested materials do so at different rates and have prolonged toxic effects on cells. Thus soaking prosthesis in water before insertion may be beneficial.