Evaluation of cytotoxicity of calcium phosphate cement consisting of alpha-tricalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate.

A newly developed calcium phosphate cement, MM, was evaluated for tissue irritability by means of cell cultures. In this study, MM showed extensive mild cytotoxicity compared with other cements before setting. Inhibition of adhesion of L-929 cells was not observed after contact with MM for 24 hours. The influence of MM on colony formation was approximately the same as that of another calcium phosphate cement and less than that of a glass ionomer cement. Toxicity of MM after setting was compared with four cements; another calcium phosphate cement, glass ionomer cement, silicate cement and zinc oxide eugenol cement, but MM showed the least influence on cell morphology. Judging from these results, MM appears to be less cytotoxic than the cements in current use.