Nederlands Instituut voor Mondgeneeskunde (NIMG) Scientific Report 19-11-2012
Elisabet Farre & Hubert Bruins Nederlands Instituut voor Mondgeneeskunde (NIMG) Scientific Report 19-11-2012
Conclusion and Perspectives
Recently emerging data suggest potential adverse effects of components from resin-based materials and the potential of BPA and other phenols to negatively affect infant development, especially when exposures to these compounds occur during prenatal and early postnatal life. It is important, therefore, to reduce these exposures to the greatest extent possible. Use of these materials should be minimized during pregnancy whenever possible. It is essential to review and evaluate available scientific data related to the safety of these substances for patients and in particular for high risk groups. It is necessary to update the opinion about possible safety concerns linked to the use of resin-based materials in dentistry. The clinical significance of in vitro mutagenicity and genotoxicity data is also quite difficult to be assessed, accurate information is needed about threshold concentrations that trigger these reactions during the long term clinical service of these materials. Moreover, the toxicokinetics and the possibility for systemic mutagenic effects of their metabolic products should be further investigated in animal models. More information on exposure conditions should be obtained to assess potential risks for patients, dental personnel, and individuals working in the development and manufacturing of monomers and composite. Increasing evidence suggests that is desirable to replace cytotoxic and mutagenic components of biologically active composite resins by more biocompatible substances to avoid risk factors for the health of patients and dental personnel. Further research is necessary to prove safety of resin-based materials for dental applications. Manufacturers should be required to report complete information on the chemical composition of dental products and encouraged to develop alternative materials with less biohazard. Focus should be made to develop a more ‘bioactive ’material that induces regeneration and tissue repair besides being biocompatible to the patient.