In vitro cytotoxicity of a glass ionomer cement of a new generation.

The new glass ionomer dental cement, ChemFil, was found to be moderately cytotoxic when freshly mixed in vitro. This was assessed by a reduction in fibroblast and macrophage counts following 24 h exposure to the material, and by alterations in enzyme levels and enzyme staining kinetics relative to control cultures. Testing of set samples of the material showed that its toxicity decreased rapidly with setting. ChemFil behaved in a manner similar to two older glass ionomers, ASPA and ChemBond, although it was generally slightly less irritant.