Comparative studies on cytotoxic effects of dental amalgams and alternative alloys according to ISO standards in vitro

Deleterious effects of dental alloys, especially those of dental amalgams, have become an important issue in current discussions on biomaterials. Cytotoxicity and further related risks of amalgams are discussed in a controversial way in the literature without leading to a final conclusion. There is still a need for basic clinical and pre-clinical research, especially with respect to the wide distribution of dental amalgams. Standardized methods of cytotoxicity testing have been established by the ISO. It was the aim of the present study to detect and compare possible cytotoxic effects of dental amalgams and alternative non-amalgam alloys in vitro. According to the ISO standards, direct cont…