CYTOTOXICITY OF ELUATES FROM LIGHT-POLYMERIZED DENTURE BASE RESINS

This study examined the metabolic effects of eluates from four light-p olymerized denture base resins and one heat-polymerized denture base r esin on oral epithelial cells in vitro. The eluate was cell culture me dium that contained either or both of apparently nonpolymerized compon ents and reaction products that diffused out of the resin samples. Elu ates were prepared by daily transfer of sample disks in a cell culture medium over 10 days. Toxicity of eluates was tested immediately after transfer (fresh) and after storage for 30 days (aged) by use of radio isotope incorporation and cell viability studies. The fresh eluates in hibited cell metabolism, whereas the aged eluates stimulated then inhi bited the responses. Results suggest that the components that leach ou t of the tested materials do so at different rates and have prolonged toxic effects on cells. Thus soaking prostheses in water before insert ion may be beneficial.