ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE AND RISKS FROM COMPONENTS AND DEGRADATION PRODUCTS OF COMPOSITE RESIN DENTAL MATERIALS
G. Mark Richardson
This 1996 analysis, made prior to the emergence of endocrine disruption as a consequence of very low level exposures, concludes:
Based on the foregoing analysis, it was concluded that composite resin dental restorations containing silica as the inorganic filler present no appreciable risk with respect to long-term daily exposure to SiO2, formaldehyde or methacrylic acid. No data on the chronic toxicity of BIS-GMA in animals or humans were located. These data are necessary before the full risks of these materials can be completely assessed.
Although in vitro data exist demonstrating the leaching of methyl methacrylate out of set composite resin, this leaching is short-lived, lasting perhaps 1 to 3 days. However, in vivo data are required on the rate of leaching of unreacted methyl methacrylate out of set composite resin fillings to confirm this short duration, and to quantify levels of potential exposure.
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