ABREU-PEREIRA, Fernando de et al. Multiparametric cytotoxicity in vitro evaluation of a glass fiber-reinforced composite orthodontic archwire. Innov. Implant. J., Biomater. Esthet. (Online) []. 2010, 5, 1, pp. 35-40. ISSN 1984-5960.

The purpose of this paper is evaluate the cytotoxicity of orthodontic archwires on polymeric resin reinforced with glass fiber, by three different cell viability parameters. According to international standards, extract samples of Optis^® Preformed Archwire, both intact and sectioned into 10 mm pieces and, as reference, of stainless steel archwires, form the same manufacturer. 2% phenol and dense polystyrene were employed as a positive and negative control respectively. Balb/c-3T3 mouse fibroblasts were exposed by 24 hours to the extracts and cell viability was assayed by three parameters: mitochondrial activity (XTT), membrane integrity, measured by Neutral red uptake, and cell density as measured by the Violet Crystal dye exclusion test. Both archwires (stainless steel and fiber glass reinforced resin) were consisted with high levels of cell viability as measured by the three tests, without significative statistical differences among groups. Wire processing by cutting into little sections did not change biocompatibility as measured by the same methods, suggesting that there is no difference between the resin external face and the internal glass fiber reinforced interior. According to the evaluated parameters, the esthetic archwire does not presented cytotoxicity levels, similar to those obtained with a material widely employed in orthodontics. However, other parameters should be investigated in order to validate this material, both related to biological aspects, as well as physical characteristics more associated to its efficacy in orthodontics.

: Orthodontic wires; Esthetics [dental]; Orthodontics.