Studies on N2 cement in man and monkey--cement lead content, lead blood level, and histologic findings

A simple model for evaluating relative toxicity of root filling materials in cultures of human oral fibroblasts

Standardized test tubes filled with freshly mixed root filling materials (AH26, CRCS, N2, Kloroperka NO, ZOE cement and 2 experimental cements, ECI and ECII) were transferred into tissue culture flasks. Normal human oral fibroblasts were seeded in the flasks. Morphological cell changes were studied up to 15 days after seeding. The size of cell-free zones around the test tubes and the total cell number per culture flask were calculated after 5, 10 and 15 days. The findings showed N2 cement to be by far the most toxic material at all observation periods, whereas no toxic reactions could be seen in relation to tubes filled with Kloroperka NO. Compared with the 5-day observation period, some cell recovery was observed around test tubes with AH26 and ECII, whereas almost full cell recovery was found around test tubes with CRCS, ZOE and ECI. It was concluded that the present model, which allows long-term observations of human cellular reactions to dental materials, can be used as a simple and relatively cheap screening test for initial toxicity testing of dental materials.

Evaluation of eugenol for mutagenicity by the mouse micronucleus test

Mutagenicity of eugenol (2-methoxy-4-allylphenol) was evaluated by an in vivo eukaryotic assay in mice. A 50% lethal dose (LD50) for intraperitoneal (IP) delivery of eugenol was found to be 1109.6 mg/kg body weight (7.5% eugenol-in-saline). Oral (PO) delivery via stainless-steel, esophageal cannulation was not lethal to 14,794 mg/kg body weight (100%) eugenol. Based upon recommended procedure, 80 and 25% LD50 doses were administered IP in 250 microliter volumes. Undiluted eugenol was administered PO in 100 microliter volumes. Delivery of eugenol by both regimes to male mice induced anaphase mutations in polychromatic erythrocytes as measured by the bone marrow micronucleus test. IP delivery of both doses induced the formation of micronuclei to significant levels (P less than 0.001) compared to saline controls. PO delivery of eugenol induced a much reduced frequency of micronuclei when compared to the IP route. However, a significant increase in micronuclei was evident when this test population was compared to its control group (P less than 0.003). These results suggest that eugenol presents some mutagenic capacity in eukaryotic hosts and should be evaluated for further toxicological effects.

Tissue reactions to two root canal sealers containing formaldehyde

Tissue reaction to root fillings using either Endomethasone or N2 was investigated in the premolar teeth of dogs. Periapical inflammation was frequently observed, but of greater significance was the universal evidence of ankylosis and the accompanying resorption of teeth filled with N2. One tooth filled with Endomethasone also exhibited this condition. The results of this study do not support the use of these root canal sealers that contain formaldehyde.