Evaluation of the total antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity of single shade universal resin composites

Resin composites used must be biocompatible, considering their interaction with living tissues. The aim of this study was to compare the total antioxidant capacity and cytotoxicity induced by single shade universal resin composites on human gingival fibroblasts. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of 7 different commercially available single shade universal resin composites on human gingival fibroblast cells were evaluated by MTT analysis on days 1 and days 7. In addition, the total antioxidant capacity of the cells was determined via the FRAP assay. The data obtained in the study were statistically analysed via the Kruskal-Wallis H and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (p < 0.05). In the day-1 cytotoxicity assay, Charisma Diamond One was found to be the most cytotoxic of the resin composites tested and control group. Considering the day 7 results, all the resin composites caused a significant decrease in cell viability compared with that of control group. When the total antioxidant capacity of the cells incubated with the resin composites was compared, the cells incubated with the Charisma Diamond One presented the highest values, whereas the Omnichroma group presented significantly lower values than did the other resin composites tested. Considering the in vitro results and the materials’ low cytotoxic effects on HGF-1 cells, Essentia Universal and Omnichroma demonstrated lower cytotoxic effects in this in vitro model, suggesting a potentially favorable biological profile for restorations positioned close to the gingiva. However, further in vivo studies are necessary to confirm clinical safety.