In vitro cytotoxicity of orthodontic elastics: comparison between two methodologies

The aim of this study was to compare two methodologies, evaluating in vitro the biocompatibility of intra-oral orthodontic elastics through cytotoxity test in culture of HEp-2 cells (human larynx carcinoma), comparing two methodologies: diffusion in agar and incorporation of the neutral red assay. Orthodontic elastics of two different commercial labels were used: American Orthodontic (American Orthodontic, Sheboygon, the USA) and Morelli (Sorocaba, S o Paulo, Brazil). The results using both methodologies demonstrated low cytotoxity for American Orthodontic and for Morelli. In accordance with the results can be concluded that both methodologies can be used to test orthodontic elastics.