Evaluation of genotoxicity induced by endodontic materials: A systematic review

Abstract

The ability of a substance to cause harm to the DNA molecule is known as genotoxicity. Because there is significant evidence of link between genetic damage and carcinogenesis, determining the real health hazards to patients and dental workers requires a thorough examination of genotoxicity caused by various dental materials. The aim of this paper is to provide a thorough overview of the genotoxicity induced by various endodontic materials. A systematic electronic search and screening of reference list were undertaken until November 2019. A meticulous search confined to English language articles was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from their inception. The electronic search method retrieved 338 papers after the removal of duplicates, only 25 papers met the inclusion requirements following a thorough review of the findings. All evidence of genotoxicity has been found in the literature notably in relation to bleaching agents, restorative materials, and resin-based sealers. Such data will definitely be included to that already established for regulatory purposes as a secure way to enhance oral healthcare and avoid oral carcinogenesis. Reported information of genotoxicity induced by various endodontic materials is crucial for validating their safety in clinical practice as well as for identifying potential gaps in knowledge that must be studied further in future studies.

Keywords

• biocompatibility
• cytotoxicity
• dentistry
• endodontic materials
• genotoxicity