Biocompatibility and cariogenicity of resin-based dental materials.

Information regarding biocompatibility and cariogenicity of composite restorative materials ('tooth-colored fillings') is so far scare. As the polymerization of composites is never complete (the degree of polymerization is usually around 50-60%), it has been shown that several uncrued components may be released. Even though clinical observations are reassuring, several disturbing studies have been published, warning for possible biotoxic effects (allergenicity, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity). In addition, there are some indications that monomers leached out of composites may promote cariogenic bacteria, hence inducing secondary caries. The main aim of this translational research project is to clear out the discrepancy between the alarming literature and the reassuring clinical observations. The biocompatibility will be investigated multidisciplinarily by in-vivo (toxicokinetic research) and in-vitro research (cell cultures). Not only conventional resin-based dental materials, but also recent low-shrinking composites will be investigated. The cariogenicity will be investigated by microbial research. The efficacy of antibacterial molecules in the prevention of secondary caries will also be assessed.

Keywords:Biocompatibility, Cariogeniticy, Composite, Resin-based, Methacrylate, Tooth-colored restoration, Monomer, Release

Disciplines:Biomarker discovery and evaluation, Drug discovery and development, Medicinal products, Pharmaceutics, Pharmacognosy and phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmacotherapy, Toxicology and toxinology, Other pharmaceutical sciences, Dentistry, Microbiology, Systems biology, Laboratory medicine