Bisphenol A and related compounds in dental materials.
BACKGROUND
Dental sealants and composite filling materials containing bisphenol A (BPA) derivatives are increasingly used in childhood dentistry. Evidence is accumulating that BPA and some BPA derivatives can pose health risks attributable to their endocrine-disrupting, estrogenic properties.


OBJECTIVE
To systematically compile and critically evaluate the literature characterizing BPA content of dental materials; to assess BPA exposures from dental materials and potential health risks; and to develop evidence-based guidance for reducing BPA exposures while promoting oral health.


METHODS
The extant toxicological literature and material safety data sheets were used as data sources.


RESULTS
BPA is released from dental resins through salivary enzymatic hydrolysis of BPA derivatives, and BPA is detectable in saliva for up to 3 hours after resin placement. The quantity and duration of systemic BPA absorption is not clear from the available data. Dental products containing the bisphenol A derivative glycidyl dimethacrylate (bis-GMA) are less likely to be hydrolyzed to BPA and have less estrogenicity than those containing bisphenol A dimethacrylate (bis-DMA). Most other BPA derivatives used in dental materials have not been evaluated for estrogenicity. BPA exposure can be reduced by cleaning and rinsing surfaces of sealants and composites immediately after placement.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of the proven benefits of resin-based dental materials and the brevity of BPA exposure, we recommend continued use with strict adherence to precautionary application techniques. Use of these materials should be minimized during pregnancy whenever possible. Manufacturers should be required to report complete information on the chemical composition of dental products and encouraged to develop materials with less estrogenic potential.
Fleisch
Abby F
AF
Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA. abby.fleisch@childrens.harvard.edu
Sheffield
Perry E
PE
Chinn
Courtney
C
Edelstein
Burton L
BL
Landrigan
Philip J
PJ
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis*; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants / Q000032:analysis; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000032:analysis; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003764:Dental Materials; D010636:Phenols; D010895:Pit and Fissure Sealants; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
Occup Environ Med. 2002 Sep;59(9):625-8
12205237
Environ Health Perspect. 2003 May;111(5):719-23
12727600
Reprod Toxicol. 2002 Nov-Dec;16(6):735-9
12401500
Environ Health Perspect. 2007 Dec;115 Suppl 1:69-76
18174953
Toxicol Lett. 2003 Aug 28;143(3):261-70
12849686
J Dent Res. 2000 Nov;79(11):1838-43
11145352
Environ Health Perspect. 1996 Mar;104(3):298-305
8919768
Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jun;108 Suppl 3:443-8
10852843
J Am Dent Assoc. 1997 Nov;128(11):1517-23
9368436
J Am Dent Assoc. 1999 Dec;130(12):1751-7
10599178
Environ Health Perspect. 2009 May;117(5):784-9
19479022
Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 2000;11(3):333-55
11021634
Pediatr Dent. 1998 Mar-Apr;20(2):85-92
9566011
Toxicol Sci. 2002 Aug;68(2):339-48
12151630
Dent Mater. 1997 Mar;13(2):98-102
9467311
Chem Res Toxicol. 2002 Oct;15(10):1281-7
12387626
JAMA. 2008 Sep 17;300(11):1303-10
18799442
Environ Health Perspect. 1997 Jan;105(1):70-6
9074884
Reprod Toxicol. 2007 Aug-Sep;24(2):139-77
17825522
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2008 Apr 1;228(1):114-34
18207480
J Am Dent Assoc. 2006 Mar;137(3):353-62
16570469
J Am Dent Assoc. 1967 Jul;75(1):121-8
5338243
Eur J Oral Sci. 1998 Dec;106(6):1022-7
9879914
J Dent Res. 2008 Feb;87(2):169-74
18218845
Vital Health Stat 11. 2007 Apr;(248):1-92
17633507
Am J Dent Sci. 1895 May;29(1):10-13
30757662
Dent Regist. 1923 May;77(5):196-228
33703822
J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2005 Apr;16(4):297-300
15803273
Environ Health Perspect. 1998 Nov;106(11):719-20
9799186
Toxicol Sci. 2002 Jul;68(1):121-46
12075117
Int J Mol Sci. 2009 Sep 04;10(9):3861-3899
19865523
Am J Prev Med. 2002 Jul;23(1 Suppl):21-54
12091093
Clin Oral Investig. 1999 Sep;3(3):107-13
10803120
Endocr J. 2004 Apr;51(2):165-9
15118266
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 08;(4):CD001830
18843625
J Oral Rehabil. 2005 Feb;32(2):116-21
15641977
J Dent Res. 2006 Oct;85(10):870-7
16998124
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 Feb 15;291(1):76-8
11829464
JAMA. 2006 Apr 19;295(15):1784-92
16622140
Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Dec;117(12):1945-52
20049216
Crit Rev Oral Biol Med. 1995;6(4):302-18
8664421
J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2000 Aug;11(8):465-8
15347996
J Biomed Mater Res. 1999 Jan;44(1):73-7
10397906
Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Aug;113(8):969-77
16079065
NTP CERHR MON. 2008 Sep;(22):v, vii-ix, 1-64 passim
19407859
Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Jan;108(1):21-7
10620520
J Am Dent Assoc. 2008 Mar;139(3):271-8; quiz 357-8
18310731
J Am Dent Assoc. 2008 Feb;139(2):138-45
18245680
JAMA. 2006 Apr 19;295(15):1775-83
16622139
Environ Health Perspect. 2005 Apr;113(4):391-5
15811827
Endocrinology. 1998 Oct;139(10):4252-63
9751507
J Dent Res. 2008 May;87(5):470-4
18434579
J Am Dent Assoc. 2000 Jan;131(1):51-8
10649872
Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Aug;116(8):1092-7
18709157
Clin Oral Investig. 1999 Sep;3(3):114-9
10803121
JAMA. 2009 Feb 18;301(7):720-1; author reply 721-2
19224743
J Am Dent Assoc. 1999 Feb;130(2):201-9
10036843
Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Feb;111(2):175-8
12573901
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1997 Jan;60(1-2):153-60
9182870
Life Sci. 2001 Oct 19;69(22):2611-25
11712665
J Am Dent Assoc. 2008 Mar;139(3):257-68
18310730
Clin Oral Investig. 1999 Sep;3(3):120-5
10803122
Hum Reprod. 2005 Aug;20(8):2325-9
15947000
MMWR Surveill Summ. 2005 Aug 26;54(3):1-43
16121123
J Biomed Mater Res. 1999 Dec 5;47(3):374-8
10487889
Environ Health Perspect. 2002 Jun;110 Suppl 3:409-14
12060837