The aim was to assess the irritation potential and toxicity of liquids and powders in dental polymer restorative materials. Further, to determine the resistance of protective gloves to permeation by components in those materials and assess the toxicity of glove materials. About 18% of Swedish dental personnel experience symptoms from skin, eyes, and respiratory tract upon exposure to dental materials, according to a questionnaire study including 7384 respondents (70.3% Response Rate). Most complaints were related to handling of polymer restorative materials (49.2%) followed by glove use (37.3%). Extracts were prepared in MEM (minimum essential medium) supplemented with glutamine and serum. Dilutions were prepared from all liquids as 1:10. The irritation potential of pure liquids and powder extracts was tested using the HET-CAM test (Hen's Egg Chorioallantoic Membrane Test). The toxicity of liquid dilutions and powder extracts were tested on mouse fibroblasts using the MTT and Neutral Red assay, and the toxicity of glove materials was tested using the Agar overlay, Filter diffusion test, and the MTT assay. Permeability of glove materials was tested according to EU standard 374-3, 1994. Results showed that all pure liquids were strongly irritants and severely cytotoxic even as 10% dilutions. No glove resisted permeation by the smallest monomer longer than 3 minutes (average value). The three cytotoxic tests exhibited almost identical results supporting the result that some glove materials released water-soluble severely cytotoxic substances. The gloves that gave the best protection were non cytotoxic.
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