Influence of resin-based restoration materials on cytotoxicity in gingival fibroblasts

Tooth-colored resin-based restoration materials have gained enormous significance in recent decades. Since the composites presently available still evidence various weaknesses, intensive research continues concerning them. In this study we tested the biocompatibility of six resin-based materials (Charisma, Solitaire, Definite, Tetric ceram, Ariston pHc and Compoglass) by means of cultured human gingival fibroblasts. Over a period of 9 days the cured resin-based materials were incubated with the fibroblasts. Cell growth, cell viability, and protein content was measured. The release of prostaglandin (PGE subset2) was also determined. There was a reduction of cell functions, related to the different resin-based materials. Protein content of the fibroblasts was significantly reduced (Kruskal Wallis test; p = 0.0001), depending on the material tested. Definite induced only minimal irritation, and there was correspondingly little contrast to the protein content of the controls. Solitaire induced the highest levels of irritation and the greatest reduction in protein content. Lactate production of fibroblasts also showed some significant reduction in contact with particular materials (p = 0.005). There were only small differences among the tested materials as concerns measured PGE subset2 release of the fibroblasts. The data suggest that the methods here employed may be quite useful in testing the cytotoxic potential of newly developed resin-based materials