RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The main aim of this paper is to investigate the cytotoxicity of elastomeric power chains after stretching and immersion in a solution of artificial saliva. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Two brands of grey polyurethane power chains available from two different firms (GAC, G&H) were selected for cytotoxicity assay. Each segment was stretched up to an initial force of approximately 200 g. Then each segment was kept stretched using appropriate equipment. The samples were tested in artificial saliva at two pH levels, pH7 and pH4. Following incubation, the saliva was removed, filtered and placed in contact with cell culture media using the RD line. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: At this supernatant dilution, no statistically significant difference was observed between the different groups of power chains studied in terms of cell viability. The GAC and G&H power chains, whether stretched or not and immerged in either pH7 or pH4 saliva, showed no toxic effect on RD cells (human cell line).