Biocompatibility evaluation of orthodontic composite by real-time cell analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of three different light-cured orthodontic composites.

Light Bond (Reliance orthodontic products), Grengloo (Ormco corporation), and Kurasper F (Kuraray Europe GmbH) were selected for the experiment. Specimens were prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions, measuring 5 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness. Fibroblast cells were obtained from healthy gingival connective tissues. The composite cylinders were incubated in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's culture medium for 72 h according to ISO 10993-5 standards. The xCELLigence method was used to evaluate fibroblast cell vitality. After seeding 200 mL of the cell suspensions into the wells (20,000 cells/well) of the E-plate 96, gingival fibroblasts were treated with bioactive components released by the orthodontic composite materials and monitored every 15 min for 121 h.

There were no significant differences between the human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cell indexes of the control and all testing groups (p > 0.05) at 24 and 48 h. Light Bond demonstrated statistically significant decrease in HGF index (p < 0.05) at 72 h, but there was no significant difference among the Kurasper F, Grengloo, and untreated control groups (p > 0.05). Light Bond (p < 0.001) and Grengloo (p < 0.05) groups had lower HGF cell index values when compared to untreated control group, but Kurasper F demonstrated no significant differences between the control groups at 96 h (p > 0.05).

Orthodontic composite materials include biologically active components and may change oral tissue. So, biocompatible orthodontic bonding composites should be used.