The Cytotoxicity of Giomer Restorative Materials on Human Gingival Fibroblasts

Objectives: In spite of introuducing various surgical procedures, root coverage on restored roots has been remained as a challenging issue. This study was aimed to determine the human gingival fibroblast cytotoxicity toward the recently introduced giomer composite that is essential for using this material to restore the carious root surfaces before root coverage procedures.

Methods: Discs (6×2 mm) from a giomer restorative material and resin ionomer Geristore were prepared using sterile Teflon washers. Extracts from the materials were incubated to cell culture medium for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were exposed to the extracts of materials and assessed for cytotoxicity by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Morphology of HGF cells were also examined by an inverted microscope.

Results: MTT assays indicated that human gingival fibroblasts proliferated well in the presence of giomer composite extract. The proliferation rate was higher in cells incubated with giomer than Geristore extracts but differences were not significant.

Conclusion: The results of this invitro study indicate the giomer composite is a non-toxic material for HGF. However, further studies needed to assess the other biologic and clinical behavior of this material prior to considering it as a potentially suitable restorative material for restoration of carious root lesions which are candidate for root coverage procedures.