Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on gingival fibroblasts from static magnetic fields produced by dental magnetic attachments.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of static magnetic field (SMF) produced by dental magnetic attachments on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. BACKGROUND: Magnetic attachments have numerous roles in dental prosthesis fixation, but few reports evaluate possible biological effects of static magnetic field (SMF) on human gingival tissues, particular genotoxic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Dyna (500-gr breakaway force) and Steco (173-gr breakaway force) dental magnetic attachments were embedded into autopolymerising acrylic resin in four different configurations each, including single and double magnets. Gingival biopsy was performed on 28 individuals during third molar extraction, and each sample was divided into two pieces for culture under SMF exposure or as a control. In total, seven test and seven control gingival fibroblast cultures were performed for each group resulting in 56 gingival fibroblast cultures. The test culture flasks were placed atop the magnet-embedded resin blocks. After cultures were terminated, mitotic index (MI) and micronucleus (MN) rates were analysed at a p = 0.05 significance level by Wilcoxon's test; intergroup differences were analysed with a Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in intragroup or intergroup MI rates. The double Dyna (p = 0.023) and double Steco (p = 0.016) groups had statistically significant intragroup differences in the MN rates. There were no statistically significant differences in MN rates in intergroup analyses. CONCLUSION: In particular, higher magnetic fields from dental magnetic attachments might be toxic genetically to human gingival fibroblasts. However, there is need for further investigations from different aspects to detect any genotoxicity.