Elution of Monomers from an Infiltrant Compared with Different Resin-Based Dental Materials

Low-molecular weight residuals eluting from dental materials may contribute to local and systemic adverse effects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA)-based commercial infiltrant with different conventional resin-based materials regarding their release of monomers.

Cylindrical blocks (n = 10) of either two sealants (Helioseal, Delton FS+), a composite (EcuSphere), an adhesive (Teco) and an infiltrant (Icon) were prepared. Additionally, 20 artificial lesions (depths ≥100 µm) were created in bovine enamel and after etching with phosphoric acid infiltrated with the infiltrant. Except for 10 infiltrated lesions, all other specimens were polished. Each specimen was stored in 1 ml distilled water (elution medium) for 240 h. The medium was renewed in logarithmical divided time periods (4.5 min-76 h).

Total concentrations of eluted monomers within 240 h from the cylindrical specimens were 0.04-0.09 mg/ml (p >0.05; Mann-Whitney test). Unpolished infiltrated specimens showed significantly higher monomer concentrations compared to all other groups, whereas polishing of specimens resulted in significantly lower concentrations (p <0.05; Mann-Whitney test).

It can be concluded that release of monomers was low in general, but for infiltrated lesions it was considerably reduced by surface polishing reaching similar values as for commonly used monomer-containing dental materials. Thus, adverse effects by the use of an infiltrant are not expected, but polishing of the infiltrated area should be considered.