Methacrylates in dental restorative materials

Commercial dental restorative materials were analysed in order to obtain information about the occurrence of sensitizing acrylates. Acetone-soluble methacrylates of 7 bonding materials, 8 composite resins and 2 glass ionomers were identified by gas chromatography with mass-selective detection and quantified by liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The most frequently occurring methacrylates in the bonding materials were 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) and 2,2-bis-[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]-propane (bis-GMA). Bis-GMA and triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate were the most frequently occurring methacrylates in composite resins. The main methacrylate of the 2 glass ionomers was 2-HEMA or trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate. Information about methacrylates was given in the safety data sheets (SDSs) for about half of the products that according to the analysis results contained methacrylates. SDSs need to be improved so that the health risks for dental personnel can be reliably assessed and controlled.