Resin-modified glass ionomer fillings are commonly used in pediatric dentistry. We have investigated possible exposure of monomers from such materials in vivo. Saliva was collected at three time points, pre-treatment, immediately after placement, and one week post-placement, from 20 patients aged seven to ten that had their first resin-based glass ionomer filling placed.

In vitro exposure to chemical compounds in dental materials may cause cell death by apoptosis, necrosis or a combination of both. The aim of this paper was to evaluate aqueous extracts of freshly cured compomers Freedom (SDI) and F2000 (3M ESPE), and constituents identified in the extracts, GDMA (glycerol dimethacrylate), TEGDMA (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate) and HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) for their ability to induce necrosis and apoptosis in primary rat alveolar macrophages and the J744A1 macrophage cell line.