Cytotoxicity Testing of Three Self-Adhesive Cements with Bovine Pulp-Derived Cells

Methods: The cytotoxicity of test materials (ICem, Heraeus Kulzer; Clearfil SA Cement, Kuraray; G-Cem, GC; GC Fuji Plus, GC) was analysed in a dentin barrier test device using pulp-derived cells. A commercially available cell culture perfusion chamber was separated into two compartments by 0.5 mm bovine dentin disc. The three dimensional cultures were placed on dentin discs held in place by a special biocompatible stainless-steel holder. Cements were introduced into the upper compartment in direct contact with the cavity side of the dentin discs according to the manufacturer's instructions. Subsequently, the pulpal part of the perfusion chamber containing the cell cultures was perfused with cell culture medium (2 ml/h). After an exposure period of 24 h, the cell survival was determined by the MTT assay. The absorbance at 540 nm was spectrophotometrically measured. Each material was tested 10 times. The mean values of control tissues (cell cultures exposed to silicone impression material) were set to represent 100% viability. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann–Whitney U-test.

Results: Control Mean±SD(107.0±26.9), ICem(102,8±15.2), Clearfil SA (106,5±22.9),G Cem(109,6±20.4),GC Fuji Plus( 98,8±38.7)Cell Survival rates for all study cements were high after testing of materials using dentin barriers. There was not any significant difference between control material and any of the study cements (P>0.05).

Conclusions: The self-adhesive luting cements used in this study do not show any cytotoxic potential when applied on dentin of more than 0.5mm thickness.