Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants
Published on: March 29, 2018
Dental sealants and composite restorations and longitudinal changes in immune function markers in children
Nancy N Maserejian1, Peter Shrader, Olivia A Brown
1Department of Epidemiology, New England Research Institutes, Watertown, MA, USA; Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Objective:
Resins used in dental composites, derived from bisphenol-A (BPA), have been shown to alter immune cells. The objective of this study was to explore children's immune function changes in relation to resin composite treatment.
Design:
We conducted secondary data analysis of the New England Children's Amalgam Trial immune function substudy (N = 59). Immune function was measured pre-treatment and up to five times post-treatment through 5-year follow-up. Multivariable generalized linear regression models were used to estimate the association between three classes of resin composites (bisphenol-A-diglycidyl-dimethacrylate [BisGMA]-based flowables used for preventive sealants; urethane dimethacrylate [UDMA]-based compomer restorations; bisGMA-based restorations) and changes in immune function markers measured annually.
Results:
Total white blood cell counts and responsiveness of T cells or neutrophils were not appreciably altered by composite treatment levels. Changes in B cell responsiveness were greater throughout follow-up among children with more bisGMA-based composite restorations, which opposed findings for amalgam treatment levels. Monocyte responsiveness changes were decreased at 6 months with greater treatment, but not over longer follow-up.
Conclusions:
Results of this analysis showed no overt immune function alterations associated with resin composites. Additional research regarding lymphocyte activation may be warranted given the consistency of results within these analyses and with a prior study showing increased B cell activation.
Related Concept Videos
Development of the Oral Microbiota
The Oral Microbiota
Longitudinal Research
Longitudinal Studies
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...

