Methacrylate monomers are major components of resin-based biomaterials. The polymerization of these materials is never complete, and methacrylates leaking from cured materials cause exposure of patients. Only some selected methacrylates have thoroughly been tested for possible interaction with living cells. In the current study, we compared the effects of 2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate (HEMA; a carefully studied methacrylate) […]

Resin-based biomaterials are widely used in medical and dental treatment, and both clinicians and patients are exposed to the materials.
The present approach to analyzing the toxic potential of HEMA yielded information on interactions with living cells is not previously reported. This detailed information is of great value to make better predictions of possible side effects in the clinic.

The term «resin-based dental materials» refers to dental materials containing polymers. Usually, these polymers are formed by in situ polymerization of methacrylate monomers.

The electron-impact and methane chemical-ionization mass spectra of selected methacrylate and acrylate monomers commonly used in dental materials are reported and discussed.