RESPONSES OF ORAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS TO DENTAL RESIN COMPONENTS

The light-polymerized resins used in dentistry and their various const ituents have been shown to produce significant levels of cytotoxicity, depending upon the material and the cell type exposed to it. These re sponses include altered cell growth and macromolecule synthesis. The c urrent study examined the effects of several resin components on growt h and lipid metabolism of oral epithelial cells. Resin discs were fabr icated from triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as received from the manufacturer and after removal of the stabilizer methyl ether hyd roquinone (MEHQ). Some discs also contained the initiators benzoyl per oxide (BPO) and camphoroquinone (CQ), and/or an activator. dimethylami noethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). After polymerization, the ability of co mponents to elute from the discs and alter cell growth and lipid synth esis were assayed by a colorimetric method and thin layer chromatograp hy respectively. Purified TEGDMA had little effect on the cells' growt h or lipid metabolism. while TEGDMA containing MEHQ did inhibit growth as well as total polar lipid synthesis. Eluates from discs containing DMAEMA inhibited cell growth as well as decreasing polar lipid format ion. However, this same material produced increased synthesis of digly cerides and cholesterol esters. Eluates from BPO-containing discs. as well as those with CQ, with or without DMAEMA resulted in increased le vels of diglycerides. These results demonstrate that even after polyme rization, components used in dental resins may elute into the immediat e environment and alter various cell metabolic processes.