Cytotoxic evaluation of root canal filling materials on primary human oralfibroblast cultures and a permanent hamster cell line

To date there has been very little data on the cytotoxic response of differ ent cell lines to root canal sealers. The objective of this study was to de termine the cytocompatibility of three different extracts of root canal sea lers and to compare the cytotoxic response of these materials on two differ ent primary human oral fibroblasts (derived from gingiva and buccal mucosa) and one permanent hamster cell line (V79 cells). Cytotoxicity was judged u sing an assay of tetrazolium bromide reduction. The results showed that roo t canal sealers (AH plus, Canals, and N2) were cytotoxic to primary human o ral fibroblast cultures and V79 cells. It was found that N2 was the most to xic root canal sealer among those tested in all cultures. The toxicity decr eased in an order of N2 > AH plus = Canals. The sensitivity of toxicity dep ended on the materials tested and the cell culture system used.