The relationship between eugenol release and the in vitro cytotoxicity of several dental materials

Abstract

EugenoI release has been implicated in the cytotoxic and inflammatory reactions to zinc oxide-eugenol containing dental materials. Such preparations are available as a number of proprietary brands. This study was undertaken to measure eugenol release and the cytotoxicity of several of these materials and to determine whether there was a correlation between the two factors. This was performed in vitro using the model cavity system which is designed to simulate the clinical situation. With the cavity liners and temporary restorative materials tested, both eugenol release and cytotoxicity varied between the different preparations and there was a strong correlation between these two factors. With the endodontic materials tested, eugenol release was fairly uniform and bore no relationship to the observed cytotoxicity.