Genotoxic potential of dental bulk-fill resin composites

ObjectiveTo investigate both genotoxicity and hardening of bulk-fill composite materials applied in 4-mm layer thickness and photo-activated for different exposure times.MethodsThree flowable bulk-fill materials and one conventional flowable composite were filled in molds (height: 4 mm) and irradiated for 20 or 30 s. The top (0 mm) and bottom (4 mm) specimen surface were mechanically scraped, and eluates (0.01 g composite in 1.5 ml RPMI 1640 cell culture media) prepared for each material, surface level and irradiation time. Genotoxicity was assessed in human leukocytes using both the alkaline comet assay and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay, and Knoop hardness (KHN) was measured at the top and bottom specimen surface (n = 8).ResultsAt both irradiation times, none of the bulk-fill composites significantly affected comet assay parameters used in primary DNA damage assessment or induced significant formation of any of the scored chromatin abnormalities (number of micronuclei, nuclear buds, nucleoplasmic bridges), whether eluates were obtained from the top or bottom surface. Furthermore, no decrease in KHN from the top to the bottom surface of the bulk-fill materials was observed. On the other hand, the conventional composite irradiated for 20 s showed at 4-mm depth a significant increase in the percentage of DNA that migrated in the tail and a significant increase in the number of nuclear buds, as well as a significant decrease in KHN relative to the top surface.SignificanceBulk-fill resin composites, in contrast to conventional composite, applied in 4-mm thickness and photo-activated for at least 20 s do not induce relevant genotoxic effects or mechanical instability.