Screening tests for systemic effects of dental materials

Due to the minimal release of compounds from most materials, systemic toxicity effects caused by dental materials have been considered to occur very seldomly or not at all. Screening tests for systemic toxicity are therefore justified only with certain body contact for long periods of time with a dental product. The international standardization on biological evaluation of medical devices has demonstrated a need for improved screening tests and continuous revision of the standards for testing. It is obvious that certain published studies on systemic effects of dental materials and some proposed test methods do not reflect today's demand for toxicokinetic and organ effect studies.