Effects of photopolymerisation on genotoxicity of composite adhesives in the Comet assay

Abstract

Certain in vivo studies have shown that the application of adhesives directly onto the open pulp or on a thin layer of dentin causes inflammation and pulpal abscesses. This reaction is related to toxic effects of monomers from adhesives. It has been confirmed that after proper illumination the adhesives become less toxic. The aim of the study was to examine genotoxicity of non-polymerised, partly polymerised and polymerised adhesives on isolated human lymphocytes using the alkaline Comet assay. Adper Single bond2 and Adper Easy One/3M ESPE adhesive photopolymerisation was performed by Elipar Highlight 3M ESPE halogen lamp for 0, 10 and 40 sec, at final concentrations of 100, 200, 500 and 1000 μg/mL. With both adhesives, photopolymerisation at 0 and 10 seconds showed statistically significant increase in DNA damage in comparision to the negative control (solvent). On the other hand, after 40 seconds of photopolymerisation of both adhesives in all tested concentrations, the degree of DNA damage in Comet assay had no significant difference (P > 0.05, χ2 test) compared to the negative control. Therefore, only the 40 seconds of photopolymerisation prevented genotoxic effects of both adhesives in the Comet assay.