Cytotoxicity of root canal filling materials, Portland cements and MTA

Objectives: Possible inflammatory reactions caused by root canal filling materials on the periapical tissues are relevant for the outcome of a root canal treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the biological compatibility and inflammatory potential of different ortograde and retrograde root canal filling materials with gingival fibroblasts. Methods: Gingival fibroblasts (GF) between the 3rd to 7th passages were cultured with Acroseal and Endomethasone (Septodont / Saint-Maur-des-Fossés Cedex, France), Sealapex (Kerr Sybron / Romulus, Michigan, USA), MTA white and regular (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and two different Portland cements (Dyckerhoff, Wiesbaden, Germany). Wells with only fibroblasts served as negative controls. Confluent cells (3x104 cells/well; 0.14 mg protein/ml) were incubated with the cements (2.4mg/±0.1mg) after allowing them to set during 24 hrs (n=12). Cell proliferation (number and vital staining) was determined immediately and after 1, 2, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs of incubation. The results were analyzed with the Students t-test (p=0.05). Results: All tested materials showed a significant lower cell proliferation after 24 hrs of culturing. Significant differences were also observed Sealapex and Endomethasone after 48 hrs of culturing. MTA white and regular showed no significant differences with the controls after 48 hrs and one Portland cement after 96 hrs of culturing. Conclusions: The results provide information on possible inflammatory reactions caused by the root canal filling materials. Even though, the Portland type cements did not exhibit a higher cytotoxicity when compared with ortograde root canal filling sealers, caution is recommended when extrapolating these results to an in vivo situation due to possible reactions caused by unknown components of the Portland type cements where a more complex tissue system is present.