This study investigated the cytotoxicity exists between latex and non-latex Orthodontic elastomeric ligatures. Six elastomeric ligatures (1 latex, 2 latex-free and 3 polyurethane) from different manufacturers were divided into 6 groups of 15 elastics each: A (Latex-free, American Orthodontics), M (Polyurethane, Morelli), G (Polyurethane,GAC International), Te (Polyurethane, Tecnident), TP (Natural latex,TP Orthodontics) and U (Latex-free,3M Unitek). The cytotoxicity assay was performed using cell cultures (L929 mouse fibroblast cell line), which were subjected to the cell viability test with neutral red ("dye-uptake") at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 28 days. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between Groups M and Te in all experimental periods, except at 2 days. No significant differences (p>0.05) in cell viability were found either among Groups A, G, TP and U or between Groups M and Te at 24 h or among Groups CC, A, G, TP and U at 2 and 28 days. It may be concluded that latex-free elastomeric ligatures from American Orthodontics and Unitek trademarks induced less cell lysis compared to latex and polyurethane ligatures.
cytotoxicity; elastics; biocompatibility; orthodontics
