Selective influence of dentin thickness upon cytotoxicity of dentin contacting materials

The effect of three dentin contacting materials on three-dimensional cultures of pulp-derived cells was evaluated in a dentin barrier test device. The test materials (Syntac Classic, Prompt L-Pop, Vitrebond) were applied on dentin disks of different thicknesses ranging from 100 to 500 microm. After 24 h of exposure with and without perfusion of the test chamber, cell survival was evaluated using the MTT assay and related to a nontoxic control material. Syntac Classic decreased cell activity significantly (p 0.05). It could be demonstrated that dentin acts as a barrier, decreasing the elicited cytotoxicity with increasing thickness. This effect is material related, showing little influence for the nontoxic or the glutaraldehyde containing material.