Researchers at the University of Campinas in Brazil are studying whether the incorporation of flavonoids into glass ionomer ceramics (GICs) could improve biocompatibility without impacting the material’s physical properties by examining the cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes and other physical properties.
The researchers manually incorporated apigenin, liquiritigenin, naringenin, and quercetin into GIC according to their previously determined minimal inhibitory concentration. In the control group, no incorporation was performed. The physical properties of the GICs, with and without flavonoids, were evaluated by compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, surface roughness, and hardness.
The GICs without flavonoids were significantly more cytotoxic than the experimental groups. The compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and surface roughness of the experimental GICs were comparable to those of the control group, but the hardness was significantly increased by the incorporation of naringenin and quercetin.
Overall, the researchers said, the incorporation of flavonoids improved the biocompatibility and enhanced the hardness of the GIC without negatively influencing the other physical properties of the restorative material.
Aline de Castilho, MSc, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in physiological sciences at the university, presented the study, “Cytotoxicity and Physical Properties of Glass Ionomer Cement Containing Flavonoids,” at the 97th General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research on June 21 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
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