Journal of Dental Research, Vol 69, 1188-1192, Copyright © 1990 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Evaluation of mutagenicity of restorative dental materials using the Ames Salmonella/microsome test
Y. Li, T. W. Noblitt, A. J. Dunipace and G. K. Stookey
Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis 46202.
Compounds of five commercially available dental material kits were examined
for mutagenic potential by use of the Ames Salmonella/microsome test.
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as the solvent for all materials, except
MONO-LOK2 Primer and Right-On Activator, which were dissolved in 95%
ethanol. The Tenure, Fuji, and Gluma materials were initially screened at 2
mg (solids) or 2 microL (liquids) per plate, without S9 (Aroclor
1254-induced rat liver microsomes), and dose-response studies were
conducted for those materials showing potential mutagenicity. The
components of three dental kits, MONO-LOK2, Right-On, and Gluma, were
further examined, both with and without S9 activation, at doses of 0.2, 4,
20, 100, 500, and 2500 micrograms (nL for liquid components) per plate. The
data showed no mutagenic potential for the components of Fuji Glass Ionomer
(Type III), Tenure Dentin Bonding System, and MONO-LOK2 kits, or Right-On
Paste. However, Gluma 3, a component of the Gluma/Lumifor Bonding System,
exhibited mutagenic activity in a dose-response manner. The mutagenicity of
Gluma 3 was demonstrated in repeated experiments. Gluma 4 and the resin of
the Gluma dental kit, as well as Right-On Activator, caused a slight
increase in the number of revertants, and judgment regarding their
mutagenicity could not be made conclusively. The results of this study
indicate that some commercial dental materials may not have been adequately
tested for mutagenicity, and that a reliable test program for evaluation of
mutagenicity of dental materials is needed so that their safe use in dental
practice can be ensured.
