Reproducibility of the model cavity method for In vitro toxicity testing of dental restorative materials

The in vitro assessment of the cytotoxicity of dental materials–does it have a role?

“…There is evidence that different cell types display varying sensitivities to different materials. For example, studies in the author's laboratory indicate that whereas most materials demonstrate greater toxicity when tested with mouse peritoneal macrophages than with BHK C-21 derived fibroblasts, the reverse was observed with zinc oxide-eugenol cement (Meryon et al 1985). Similarly, it is known that fluoride is more toxic to macrophages than fibroblasts although whether these two observations are related is not certain.…”

“…This can be illustrated by reference to some studies carried out with the model cavity method which has been developed in Birmingham and which is discussed in detail elsewhere (Meryon 1988). Similar tests were conducted independently on five different materials in the author's laboratory and in a commercial laboratory, and a high level of reproducibility obtained over a wide range of toxic effects (Meryon et al 1985). Where in vitro methods have been criticized for a lack of reproducibility, it is most likely because the details of the test methods have not been defined sufficiently.…”

The model cavity method incorporating dentine

“…Correspondence: Dr S. D, Meryon, Department of Oral Pathology, The Dental School, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN, (i) the evaluation of the toxicity of a wide range of dental materials (Meryon & Browne 1983, 1984b, Meryon et al 1985, It is in this role as a screening method that it has been included in the current draft document of the British Standards Institute for the testing of dental restorative materials, (ii) the determination of the release of specific elements from test materials including fluoride (Meryon et al 1983a,b, Meryon & Smith 1984, zinc (Meryon 1984a) and aluminium (Meryon & Jakeman 1987a), (iii) assessment of the cytotoxicity of oral micro-organisms implicated in pulpal inflammatory responses beneath some experimental restorations in vivo (Meryon etal-1986a).…”