Cytotoxicity of three dentin bonding agents on human dental pulp cells

Objectives. Dentin bonding agents (DBA) have been widely used in operative restoration to prevent leakage and promote bonding strength in the resin-dentin interface. However, DBA may exert potentially harmful effects to the dental pulp. In the present study, differential, cytotoxicity of three DBA (Syntac Sprint, SP; Prime and Bond 2.1, PB; and Single Bond, SB) on the pulp cells was tested. Methods. Three DBA were diluted with the culture medium by a ratio of 1:1000, 1:2000 and 1:4000 (v/v). Pulp cells (5 x 10(4) cells/well) were then exposed to culture medium containing different diluents; of three DBA for 12, 24 h and 3 days. Cytotoxicity was measured with a modified 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results. A 12 h experiment revealed that SP was the strongest cytotoxic agent, followed sequentially by SB and PB. Exposure of pulp cells to 1:4000 (v/v) dilution of SP, PB and SB for 24 h reduced the cell number by 23, 6 and 45%, respectively. A 1:2000 (v/v) of DBA diluents reduced the cell number for 32, 13 and 65%, respectively, by SP, PB and SB. Dilution of DBA by 1000-fold of culture medium further enhanced the cytotoxic response. Cell number decreased by 89, 65 and 72%, respectively, by SP, PB and SB. Similar to the 12 h-cytotoxicity data, SB is more toxic at high dilution condition, whereas, at low dilution condition, SP is the most toxic agent to pulp cells. Similar cytotoxicity was noted when pulp cells were exposed to DBA for 3 days. Toxicity of DBA was concomitant with marked retraction and rounding of dental pulp cells. Significance. These results indicate that DBA exerts potential harmful effects to the pulp. Differential toxic effects of DBA on the pulp cells should be considered during selection of a suitable DBA for operative restoration. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.