Cell Viability Assay of Chitosan-Modified Glass Ionomer Restorative Cements

<b>Purpose:</b> The present study evaluates the cytocompatibility of chitosan (CS)-modified glass ionomer cement (GIC) diluents for a Balb/c 3T3 fibroblast cell line. <b>Methods:</b> Three different commercially available hand-mix GIC materials were used in this experiment: Fuji IX GP, Ketac Universal, and Riva Self Cure. The diluents for cell viability tests were produced from DMEM exposed to sterile CS-modified glass ionomer material specimens for three different time periods (0-1, 1-7, and 7-21 days). The resultant diluents were exposed to a 3T3 fibroblast cell line using the indirect contact technique in 96-well plates. In order to assess the physical cell response, five material specimens (1 mm high and 3 mm in diameter) of each material (<i>n</i> = 45) were produced and 3T3 cells were seeded on the specimens. SEM evaluation of the cells was conducted. <b>Results:</b> All the Ketac Universal materials resulted in a decrease in cell viability on day 1. Fuji IX and the CS-modified GICs are the most consistent regarding cell viability. None of the CS-modified GICs exhibited improved cumulative cell biocompatibility. <b>Conclusion:</b> Two materials-Riva Self Cure modified with 5% and 10% CS-retained a decreased cell viability at day 21 compared to the viability of 3T3 cells exposed to the control DMEM.