Orthodontic rare earth magnets--in vitro assessment of cytotoxicity

The aim of this study was to assess and compare in vitro the cytotoxic effects of uncoated and parylene-coated rare earth magnets, used in orthodontics. Cytotoxicity of samarium-cobalt magnets (SmCo5 and Sm2Co17) and neodymium-iron-boron magnets (Nd2Fe14B) was assessed by two in vitro methods, the millipore filter method and an extraction method. Orthodontic stainless steel brackets served as controls. Uncoated SmCo5-magnets showed high cytotoxicity while uncoated Sm2Co17-magnets demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity. Uncoated neodymium-iron-boron magnets, as well as parylene coated Sm2Co17-magnets and parylene-coated neodymium-iron-boron magnets, showed negligible cytotoxicity. Short-term exposure to a static magnetic field did not cause any cytotoxic effect on the cells.