Responses of Epithelial-like Cells in Tissue Culture to Implant Materials

¹ Departments of Microbiology and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Human amnion cells (WISH and F/L strains) were used to determine the degree of toxicity toward epithelial-like tissue of 23 materials that might be used in dental or surgical prosthetic reconstructions. The cells were seeded into Leighton tubes containing Eagle's medium, 8 percent calf serum, and antibiotics. Sterilized pieces of the test material were carefully placed in the cell cultures and held in position by a coverslip. After incubation at 37°C. for 3 to 10 days (depending on the size of the initial cell inoculum and the degree of monolayering observed in control tubes), the cell cultures were assessed microscopically for cytotoxicity effects. Under these conditions, seven materials were recorded as producing severe cell damage, nine produced moderate changes, and one appeared to have no affect on the cells.

Correlations between the findings of this work and previous findings of this laboratory and others is attempted. The experiments emphasize the need for more stringent criteria of cell changes and tolerance.