Irritation and cytotoxic potential of denture adhesives.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to examine the in vitro biocompatibility of denture adhesives.


BACKGROUND
Denture adhesives absorb water to become viscous and sticky, and by this process, other constituents like colouring, flavouring, wetting and preserving agents may be released. Some of these constituents may induce adverse reactions among users of denture adhesives.


METHODS
Five commercially available denture adhesives; three different creams, a powder, and a cushion were included in the study. The irritation and cytotoxic potential was evaluated using the Hen's Egg Test Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) method and three cell culture methods; filter diffusion, dimethylthiazol diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and agar diffusion.


RESULTS
None of the tested denture adhesives showed a noteworthy acute irritation as evaluated by the HET-CAM method. None of the tested denture adhesives induced cytotoxicity in the filter diffusion test. One of the denture adhesives induced a severe cytotoxic reaction in both the MTT and agar diffusion assays. These tests employ longer exposure times than in both the filter diffusion and the HET-CAM test.


CONCLUSIONS
Denture adhesives are commonly used throughout the day, and our results raise the concern that denture adhesives may contribute to mucosal inflammation in denture wearers.
Al
Ronald H
RH
NIOM - Scandinavian Institute of Dental Materials, Haslum, Norway.
Dahl
Jon E
JE
Morisbak
Else
E
Polyzois
Gregory L
GL
D000269:Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans
D000269:Adhesives; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003764:Dental Materials