Alteration of monocytic cell oxidative burst caused by methacrylic monomers present in dental materials: a chemiluminescence study

Methacrylates are present in dental composite resins used in clinical practice. Methacrylates are photo-polymerized, but this reaction is never complete, so release of uncured monomers in the periapical tissues and in biological fluids may happen and, potentially, alter the repair of pulpal and of periapical lesions by interfering with local phagocytes. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the functional activity of the monocyte-macrophage system after incubation with methacrylic monomers. The oxidative burst of two cellular systems was analysed using the chemiluminescence technique. Data were collected and statistically analysed. Monomers were found to reduce the in vitro oxidative burst of phagocytes independently from their cytotoxicity. These findings demand further evaluation of the effects of oxidative burst alteration in monocyte-macrophage function and may prompt the inclusion of the described chemiluminescence test in biocompatibility preliminary studies of dental materials.