Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of selected conventional glass ionomer cements on human gingival fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Dentistry materials are the most frequently used substitutes of human tissues. Therefore, an assessment of dental filling materials should cover not only their chemical, physical, and mechanical characteristics, but also their cytotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cytotoxic effects of 13 conventional glass ionomer cements on human gingival fibroblasts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The assessment was conducted using the MTT test. Six samples were prepared for each material. Culture plates with cells and inserts with the materials were incubated at 37°C, 5% CO2, and 95% humidity for 24 h. Then the inserts were removed, 1 mL of MTT was added in the amount of 0.5 mg/1 mL of the medium, and the samples were incubated in the described conditions without light for 2 h. The optical density was measured with an absorption spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 560 nm.

RESULTS: The cytotoxic effects of the Argion Molar was significantly stronger than the Fuji Triage (p = 0.007), Chemfil Molar (p < 0.0001), and Ionofil Molar AC Quick (p < 0.001). The Fuji IX GP and Fuji IX Extra had a significantly stronger adverse effect than the Chemfil Molar (p = 0.014, p = 0.029, respectively) and Ionofil Molar AC Quick (p = 0.017, p = 0.034, respectively). The cements from the low cytotoxicity group were significantly more toxic vs materials whose presence resulted in fibroblast growth (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The research conducted indicates that, although the materials studied may belong to the same group, they are characterized by low, yet not uniform, cytotoxicity on human gingival fibroblasts. The toxic effects should not be assigned to a relevant group of materials, but each dentistry product should be evaluated individually.