Distribution and excretion of TEGDMA in guinea pigs and mice

The monomer triethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (TEGDMA) is used as a diluent i n many resin-based dental materials. It was previously shown in vitro that TEGDMA was released into the adjacent biophase from such materials during t he first days after placement. In this study, the uptake, distribution, and excretion of C-14-TEGDMA applied via gastric, intradermal, and intravenous administration at dose levels well above those encountered in dental care were examined in vivo in guinea pigs and mice as a test of the hypothesis t hat TEGDMA reaches cytotoxic levels in mammalian tissues. C-14-TEGDMA was t aken up rapidly from the stomach and small intestine after gastric administ ration in both species and was widely distributed in the body following adm inistration by each route. Most C-14 was excreted within one day as (CO2)-C -14. The peak equivalent TEGDMA levels in all mouse and guinea pig tissues examined were at least 1000-fold less than known toxic levels. The study th erefore did not support the hypothesis.