Xenoestrogens in Sealants and Composites

Abstract

Estrogenicity of Bisphenol A (BPA) based dental sealants and composites used in dentistry have been reported in literature. Leaching of these monomers from resins can occur during the initial setting period and in conjunction with fluid sorption and desorption over time. This review presents various studies which evaluated the presence/absence of BPA in oral cavity after application of dental materials. We further recommend minimized use of these materials during pregnancy, treatment of surface layer if applied and encourage the use of BPA free sealants. Compounds that represent estrogen in their effects but not necessarily in chemical structure are known as Xenoestrogens [1]. Bisphenol A is one such kind with ubiquitous human exposure. It was synthesized 100 years ago and was briefly used in the 1930's as a substitute for estrogen until replaced with diethyl-stilbestrol (DES) .