[Metals and alloys--corrosion, toxicology, sensitivity reactions 1]. / Metalle und Legierungen--Korrosion, Toxikologie, sensibilisierende Wirkung (Teil I).

Alloys used in dentistry should not compromise the health of patients and of dental personal. All aspects of biocompatibility, such as corrosion, toxicity and allergic sensitization should be considered when base metal alloys or low gold alloys are used. In regard to health legislation, alloys should considered to be 'drugs'. Hazardous alloys should not be recommended, if the primary concern is cost. However, there is no or only little evidence to show, that either of the alloy systems used would rise health risks, exempting the beryllium containing alloys. They should not be used any longer. Probably, dental technicians are endangered by beryllium more than patients are. Some of the Ni-Cr-alloys were shown to corrode. There is less evidence of allergic senzitization caused by nickelcontaining dental alloys, than suspected first.

[Biocompatibility of dental materials: Part 2. Materials with mucosal contact]. / Biokomatibilitat zahnarztlicher Materialien: Teil II. Materialien mit Schleimhautkontakt.

Dental materials which are supposed to contact the oral, mucous membranes during their intended dental use may affect our patients health in different ways. Their local and systemic toxicity, and their allergenic and tumorigenic potential are reviewed and methods of biocompatibility testing discussed. Special emphasis is placed on impression materials, denture base resins and dental alloys.

[Biocompatibility of crown and bridge materials. 1. Substances in contact with dentin]. / Biokompatibilität zahnärztlicher Materialien. Teil 1. Substanzen mit Dentinkontakt.

It is mandatory that the materials and drugs used in restorative dentistry be free from side effects resulting in potential tooth loss or irreversible damage to vital dental tissues. Up to now there have been no reliable in vitro methods available for the evaluation of pulp reactions. Since numerous different materials and drugs are successively applied to prepared dentine, pulp reactions are caused by cumulative action, and the causative factors, except for extremely toxic substances, cannot be revealed by clinical and/or posttreatment studies alone. At present, the evaluation of pulp reactions must still rely on histologic studies using human or animal teeth. Reports on pulp reactions to materials and drugs are reviewed. Few dependable figures have been reported on pulp reactions to dentinal medication, "sterilization", disinfectants and on the biologic response to and effectiveness of varnishes, liners, desensitizing agents, smear-layer removers, etc. Resins and composite materials seem to provoke acute reactions, mainly by the heat generated during setting, and chronic reactions due to the stimulation of bacterial growth. Except for glass ionomer cements, most of the publications show a high degree of agreement on the tissue reactions to luting agents. Regarding dentine bonding agents, however, it has not been possible to draw any conclusions, so far.

[Composite filling materials in animal experiments]. / Komposit-Füllungsmaterialien im Tierversuch

The pulp tolerance of the composites "Estic" (Kulzer) and "Compocap" (Vivadent) and the polyacrylatecement "Bondal" (Vivadent) was tested in a total of 97 cervical cavities in rhesus monkeys. "Bondal" was well tolerated by the pulp. Both composites when used without cement base provoked slight to moderate reactions. This could be avoided by using "Bondal" cement bases.

Reactions of the gingiva to dental materials.

Dental materials may alter the health of the gingiva in different ways. In the etiology of periodontal disease dental materials are one factor only among several others. Today, excellent methods are available for the biologic evaluation of materials and it should no longer be possible to sell and introduce entirely new materials without any preclinical biologic testing. Financial gain cannot be an excuse for the exposure of man to the possible toxic, allergenic and even tumorigenic risks. Restorations with subgingival margins should be avoided and if they have to be done, amalgam, phosphate, silico-phosphate, silicate, resin, cold curing resin and pyroplast should not be used.