Cell culture is a valuable method of evaluating the biocompatibility of new dental materials. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vitro biocompatibility of an experimental fluoride composite resin with fluoride and non-fluoride-releasing materials currently available. The dental materials tested were: MQ Silicate (silicate cement), KETAC-CEM and FUJI (type II glass ionomer cements), VISIO DISPERS (a light-cured, nonfluoridated, microfilled composite resin), and FR-17 (an experimental fluoride-releasing composite resin). The Smulow-Glickman (S-G) human gingival epithelial cell line, which exhibits semidifferentiated characteristics, was used in the study as a test system. Biocompatibility was quantified by counting the viable cells per unit area remaining after 24 and 48 h at two radial distances from cured specimens immersed in the cell culture medium. The test materials were observed to be most toxic to cells nearest the materials. A Time-Distance Cytotoxicity Index (TDCI) was calculated to relate the percentage of dead cells to viable cells at each diffusion distance for each exposure time compared to a nontoxic control. The relative toxicity ranking of the materials tested based on the TDCI was VISIO DISPERS (91%), FUJI (82%), FR-17 (30%), MQ Silicate (23%), and KETAC-CEM (10%), which exhibited the least toxicity. The cytotoxicity of the experimental resin FR-17 was within the range of cytotoxicity of currently accepted restorative materials.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the extended effect of caffeine intake received during gestation and lactation on the mandible and femur of rats. Timed-pregnant dams were divided into two groups. Dams of group 1 were fed a 20% protein diet throughout the experimental period from day 9 of gestation. Dams of group 2 were also fed a 20% protein diet, supplemented with caffeine (lmg/100 g of body weight). Upon delivery, 8 pups were assigned to each dam, and the dams were continued on their respective diets. At weaning (day 22 postnatally), only male rats were selected. Pups of both groups were fed a 20% protein diet without caffeine. At day 56 postnatally the rats were killed. Mandibles and femurs were removed and the following parameters analyzed: weight, physical dimension, volume, and Knoop microhardness. Caffeine intake during gestation and lactation resulted in an impairment of femur growth and development and to a lesser extent mandibular growth and development. The early effects of caffeine in the maternal diet were lasting, as noted by the lack of recovery of the offspring even after changing to a caffeine-free diet for an extended time after weaning.

No abstract

No abstract