SGH EnviroDental ver 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A study into the elution of monomers from tooth-coloured filling materials into the environment via bodily excretions.
IRAS ID
156314
Contact name
Steven Mulligan
Contact email
Research summary
White coloured fillings are the material of choice for a wide range of restorative dental applications. This filling material is made up of a plastic resin material and filler particles (glass). The resin part is a polymer made up of small parts known as monomers. It is known that white fillings leach organic chemicals, with potential associated health-related problems when some of them reach critical levels; but there are a lack of studies that address their pollutant risk to the environment. Data regarding the pollutant potential of resin-based composite dental materials is important, as it will permit better informed clinical decision-making when providing such materials to patients. Therefore we will look to investigate how much of the monomer from recently placed white-coloured fillings are released. We will examine the saliva and urine from 30 patients after they have had a filling. The levels of monomer present in each of these will be determined and will allow direct comparison with other possible ways the monomer is released in to the environment.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1272
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion