The biocompatibility of modified experimental Portland cements with potential for use in dentistry

Aim  To evaluate the biocompatibility of a group of new potential dental materials and their eluants by assessing cell viability. Methodology  Calcium sulpho‐aluminate cement (CSA), calcium fluoro‐aluminate cement (CFA) and glass–ionomer cement (GIC; Ketac Molar), used as the control, were tested for biocompatibility. Using a direct test method cell viability was measured quantitatively using alamarBlue™ dye, and an indirect test method where cells were grown on material elutions and cell viability was assessed using methyltetrazolium (MTT) assay as recommended by ISO 10 993‐Part 5 for in vitro testing. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and Tukey multi‐comparison test method. Results  Elution collected from the prototype cements and the GIC cured for 1 and 7 days allowed high cell activity after 24 h cell exposure, which reduced after 48 h when compared to the nontoxic glass–ionomer control, but increased significantly after 72 h cell contact. Elutions collected after 28 days revealed reduced cell activity at all cell exposure times. Cells placed in direct contact with the prototype materials showed reduced cell activity when compared with the control. Conclusions  Cell growth was poor when seeded in direct contact with the prototype cements. GIC encouraged cell growth after 1 day of contact. The eluted species for all the cements tested exhibited adequate cell viability in the early ages with reduced cell activity at 28 days. Changes in the production of calcium hydroxide as a by‐product of cement hydration affect the material biocompatibility adversely.