Cytocompatibility of a Monomethacrylate-based Dental Copolymer Containing 1,3,5-triacryloylhexahydro-1,3,5-triazine as a Cross-linking Comonomer: An In Vitro Research

IntroductIonDenture base (DB) acrylic resins are inevitable in the field of dentistry, conspicuously in prosthetic dentistry, and chemically made of conventional poly(methyl methacrylate) [P(MMA)].Myriad prosthetic dentures and appliances are being made out of the DB.The DB's processing method and monomer-to-polymer conversion influence its physicomechanical properties and biocompatibility, 1,2 orchestrating various grades of cytotoxicity in vitro. 3Heat-cured DB (HCDB) shelters less unreacted monomer residuum (MR) than its auto-cure variant. 4,5For an auto-cure resin, there is approximately 1.5-4.5% MR has been estimated 6 whereas, for HCDB, the MR is ~0.3%. 7However, a minimum MR concentration has also been reported between 0.045 and 0.18%. 8Specifications by the British standards stipulate 3.5% MR as an acceptable limit for orthodontic acrylic resins. 9According to the International Standards Organization (ISO 1567), 2.2 and 4.5% MR are acceptable for HCDB and autocure acrylic resins, respectively. 10The MR and its reactive noxious metabolites or haptens (formaldehyde, phthalates, dibenzoyl peroxide, salicylates) 11 from the dentures pose inimical mucosal reactions upon contact, 12 particularly in geriatric patients with infected/inflamed/abused mucosa ensuing from contemporaneous medications or malnutrition. 13Eluates from the DB have cytotoxic potential on oral epithelial and connective tissue cells by curbing cell growth and thwarting nuclear and metabolic activities.