Development of a collaborative team to study the cytotoxic effects of inadequate polymerization of resin composites, and the cytotoxic effects of dental curing lights

The use of dental amalgam to restore teeth is declining, while the use of tooth coloured resins is increasing. According to the American Dental association over 85 million tooth coloured resin restorations were placed in the USA in 1999. Tooth coloured resins contain polymers, which are hardened in the mouth using a dental curing light. Light emitting diode (LED) curing lights promise to replace conventional halogen lights within the next five years. LED lights produce a totally different narrow spectrum of light compared to previous halogen bulb curing lights. There is little information on the compatibility between these new curing lights and dental resins, or on the effects these LED lights have on oral mucosa. Thus, the purposes of this Short-Term Clinician-Investigator Award will be to provide release time so that I can develop a team of highly qualified personnel to spearhead efforts in dental materials resin research and to prepare a research grant to determine if: (a) inadequate curing and polymerization of resin composites leads to cytotoxicity due to leaching of chemicals from the incompletely polymerized resin; and (b) irradiation with dental curing lights causes irradiance and wavelength-dependent changes in cell viability, growth or function. I also need time to complete 4 manuscripts based on research already completed and which has either presented at the 2004 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting, or has been submitted in abstract form to the IADR meeting in March 2005.