Effects of RTC-silicone maxillofacial prosthetic elastomers on cell cultures

The use of a wide variety of materials in the construction of maxillofacial prostheses makes biocompatibility testing a necessity. However, the dental literature contains few reports of biocompatibility testing of maxillofacial prosthetic materials. The cytotoxic profiles of five room-temperature cross-linking (RTC)-silicone elastomers were investigated by means of two in vitro cell culture techniques. Mouse fibroblast cells (L929) were used, and the results indicated that RTC-silicone elastomers adversely affected cells in culture and that storage of samples for 1 week in saline solution did not alter this effect. Clinical follow-up of patients wearing prostheses made of these silicone materials is warranted to evaluate host reactions in long-term contact with human mucous membrane and skin tissue.