Bisphenol A (BPA) release from pediatric dental restorative materials under varied pH and temperature conditions: an in vitro study

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound of concern in pediatric dentistry. Demand for BPA-free dental materials reflects concern about BPA health risks for children. In this study, seven different dental pediatric restorative materials (Cention Forte Filling Material, Equia Forte HT Fil, Stela Self Cure, Riva Light Cure, Riva Self Cure, Fuji IX GP Fast and Cention Primer) were evaluated for BPA release. Methods: Disks (10 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness; n = 3 for each material) were prepared following the manufacturers’ instructions and immersed in buffer solutions at pH 4.8, 6.8, and 8.8. Samples were stored at 37 ◦C and 44 ◦C for 1, 7, and 28 days and then analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). Results: BPA release was highest under acidic conditions at 44 ◦C, particularly after 1 day of exposure. Cention Primer exhibited the highest BPA release, with a peak concentration of 1.31 ± 0.17 µg/L after 1 day at 44 ◦C in acidic conditions. Stela Self Cure followed, with 0.51 ± 0.10 µg/L under the same conditions. Under neutral and basic conditions, no BPA release was observed, except for Cention Primer. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, BPA release from pediatric restorative materials is time- and pH-dependent. The results reflect short- to medium-term behavior (up to 28 days) and cannot be extrapolated to long-term clinical safety. These findings underscore the clinical importance of minimizing BPA exposure in children by preferring BPA-free restorative options whenever possible.

Bisphenol-A (BPA); Dental materials; Pediatric dentistry; Resin-based dental materials; LC-MS/MS; Polymers; Release; Materials testing

[1] German MJ. Developments in resin-based composites. British Dental Journal. 2022; 232: 638–643.

[2] Ferracane JL. A historical perspective on dental composite restorative materials. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2024; 15: 173.

[3] Eggenhöffner R, Ghisellini P, Rando C, Pechkova E, Terencio T, Mazzolai B, et al. Innovative nanostructured fillers for dental resins: nanoporous alumina and Titania nanotubes. Biomedicines. 2023; 11: 1926.

[4] Ausiello P, Ciaramella S, Lanzotti A, Ventre M, Borges AL, Tribst JP, et al. Mechanical behavior of Class I cavities restored by different material combinations under loading and polymerization shrinkage stress. A 3D-FEA study. American Journal of Dentistry. 2019; 32: 55–60.

[5] Pires PM, de Almeida Neves A, Lukomska-Szymanska M, Farrar P, Cascales ÁF, Sauro S. Bonding performance and interfacial adaptation of modern bulk-fill restorative composites after aging in artificial saliva: an in vitro study. Clinical Oral Investigation. 2024; 28: 132.

[6] Ausiello P, Ciaramella S, De Benedictis A, Lanzotti A, Tribst JPM, Watts DC. The use of different adhesive filling material and mass combinations to restore class II cavities under loading and shrinkage effects: a 3D-FEA. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering. 2021; 24: 485–495.

[7] Obisesan OS, Ajiboye TO, Mhlanga SD, Mufhandu HT. Biomedical applications of biodegradable polycaprolactone-functionalized magnetic iron oxides nanoparticles and their polymer nanocomposites. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2023; 227: 113342.

[8] Aminoroaya A, Neisiany RE, Khorasani SN, Panahi P, Das O, Madry H, et al. A review of dental composites: challenges, chemistry aspects, filler influences, and future insights. Composites Part B: Engineering. 2021; 216: 108852.

[9] Jafer MA, Qadiri AA, Mtwam NA, Hakami AH, Mowkly AA, Bhandi S, et al. Influence of human and bacterial enzymes on resin restorations: a review. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2022; 23: 371–377.

[10] Vervliet P, De Nys S, Duca RC, Boonen I, Godderis L, Elskens M, et al. Degradation products of resin-based materials detected in saliva in vivo. Clinical Oral Investigation. 2023; 7: 7189–7198.

[11] Padovani G, Fúcio S, Ambrosano G, Sinhoreti M, Puppin-Rontani R. In situ surface biodegradation of restorative materials. Operative Dentistry. 2014; 39: 349–360.

[12] Barros LS, Denucci GC, Amoral FL, Franga FM, Basting RT, Turssi CP. The potential of salivary albumin to degrade composite resin. Acta Odontológica Latinoamericana. 2023; 36: 34–39.

[13] Nedeljkovic I, De Munck J, Ungureanu AA, Slomka V, Bartic C, Vananroye A, et al. Biofilm-induced changes to the composite surface. Journal of Dentistry. 2017; 63: 36–43.

[14] Kux BJ, Bacigalupo LM, Scriba A, Emmrich M, Jost-Brinkmann PG. Elution study of acrylic monomers from orthodontic materials using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics. 2022; 83: 34–47.

[15] Kielbassa AM, Summer S, Frank W, Lynch E, Batzer JS. Equivalence study of the resin-dentine interface of internal tunnel restorations when using an enamel infiltrant resin with ethanol-wet dentine bonding. Scientific Reports. 2024; 14: 12444.

[16] EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP); Lambré C, Barat Baviera JM, Bolognesi C, Chesson A, Cocconcelli PS, Crebelli R, et al. Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs. EFSA Journal. 2023; 21: 6857392.

[17] Goldberg M. In vitro and in vivo studies on the toxicity of dental resin components: a review. Clinical Oral Investigation. 2008; 12: 1–8.

[18] Ohlsson E, Bolay C, Arabulan S, Galler KM, Buchalla W, Schmalz G, et al. In-vitro-cytotoxicity of self-adhesive dental restorative materials. Dental Materials. 2024; 40: 739–746.

[19] Farahat DS, El-Wassefy NA. Effects of food-simulating solutions on the surface properties of two CAD/CAM resin composites. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry. 2022; 14: e782–e790.

[20] Wan Ali WNS, Parker S, Patel M. Effect of food-simulating liquids on the leachability of plasticizers from dental tissue conditioners. European Journal of Dentistry. 2024; 18: 883–890.

[21] Gupta SK, Saxena P, Pant VA, Pant AB. Release and toxicity of dental resin composite. Toxicology International. 2012; 19: 225–234.

[22] Treglia AS, Turco S, Ulianich L, Ausiello P, Lofrumento DD, Nicolardi G, et al. Cell fate following ER stress: just a matter of “quo ante” recovery or death? Histology and Histopathology. 2012; 27: 1–12.

[23] European Food Safety Authority. Opinion of the scientific panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane. EFSA Journal. 2006; 428: 1–75.

[24] Kang YG, Kim JY, Kim J, Won PJ, Nam JH. Release of bisphenol A from resin composite used to bond orthodontic lingual retainers. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 2011; 140: 779–789.

[25] Peters AE, Ford EA, Roman SD, Bromfield EG, Nixon B, Pringle KG, et al. Impact of Bisphenol A and its alternatives on oocyte health: a scoping review. Human Reproduction Update. 2024; 30: 653–691.

[26] Kolatorova Sosvorova L, Chlupacova T, Vitku J, Vlk M, Heracek J, Starka L, et al. Determination of selected bisphenols, parabens and estrogens in human plasma using LC-MS/MS. Talanta. 2017; 174: 21–28.

[27] Pan J, Liu P, Yu X, Zhang Z, Liu J. The adverse role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the reproductive system. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2024; 14: 1324993.

[28] Rochester JR. Bisphenol A and human health: a review of the literature. Reproductive Toxicology. 2013; 42: 132–155.

[29] Kolatorova L, Duskova M, Vitku J, Starka L. Prenatal exposure to bisphenols and parabens and impacts on human physiology. Physiological Research. 2017; 66: S305–S315.

[30] Ma Y, Liu H, Wu J, Yuan L, Wang Y, Du X. The adverse health effects of bisphenol A and related toxicity mechanisms. Environmental Research. 2019; 176: 108575.

[31] Ramírez V, Gálvez-Ontiveros Y, González-Domenech PJ, Baca MÁ, Rodrigo L, Rivas A. Role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in children’s neurodevelopment. Environmental Research. 2022; 203: 111890.

[32] Vandenberg LN, Colborn T, Hayes TB, Heindel JJ, Jacobs DR III, Lee DH, et al. Hormones and endocrine-disrupting chemicals: low-dose effects and nonmonotonic dose responses. Endocrine Reviews. 2012; 33: 378–455.

[33] Lopes-Rocha L, Gonçalves VMF, Cunha SC, Fernandes JO, Pinho T, Tiritan ME. Evaluation of BPA and Bis-GMA release from recent dental composite materials by LC-MS/MS. Separations. 2023; 10: 455.

[34] Berge TLL, Lygre GB, Jönsson BAG, Lindh CH, Björkman L. Bisphenol A concentration in human saliva related to dental polymer-based fillings. Clinical Oral Investigation. 2017; 21: 2561–2568.

[35] Pulgar R, Olea-Serrano MF, Novillo-Fertrell A, Rivas A, Pazos P, Pedraza V, et al. Determination of bisphenol A and related aromatic compounds released from Bis-GMA-based composites and sealants by high performance liquid chromatography. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2000; 108: 21–27.

[36] Yiyan Y, Xinwei G, Jiawen C, Yuanhang Z, Jiazhuo S, Hamed A, et al. Biodegradation of Urethane Dimethacrylate-based materials (CAD/CAM resin-ceramic composites) and its effect on the adhesion and proliferation of Streptococcus mutans. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials. 2024; 150: 106280.

[37] Ausiello P, Dal Piva AMdO, di Lauro AE, Garcia-Godoy F, Testarelli L, Tribst JPM. Mechanical behavior of Alkasite posterior restorations in comparison to polymeric materials: a 3D-FEA study. Polymers. 2022; 14: 1502.

[38] Aliberti A, Gasparro R, Triassi M, Piscopo M, Ausiello P, Tribst JPM. Fluoride release from pediatric dental restorative materials: a laboratory investigation. Dentistry Journal. 2025; 13: 224.

[39] Aliberti A, Di Duca F, Triassi M, Montuori P, Scippa S, Piscopo M, et al. The effect of different pH and temperature values on Ca2+, F−, PO43-, OH−, Si, and Sr2+ release from different bioactive restorative dental materials: an in vitro study. Polymers. 2025; 17: 640.

[40] Manzoor MF, Tariq T, Fatima B, Sahar A, Tariq F, Munir S, et al. An insight into bisphenol A, food exposure and its adverse effects on health: a review. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022; 9: 1047827.

[41] Francois P, Fouquet V, Attal JP, Dursun E. Commercially available fluoride-releasing restorative materials: a review and a proposal for classification. Materials. 2020; 13: 2313.

[42] Di Lauro A, Di Duca F, Montuori P, Dal Piva AMO, Tribst JPM, Borges ALS, et al. Fluoride and calcium release from Alkasite and glass ionomer restorative dental materials: in vitro study. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2023; 14: 109.

[43] Dawes C. Salivary flow patterns and the health of hard and soft oral tissues. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2008; 139: 18S–24S.

[44] Ten Cate JM, Buzalaf MAR. Fluoride mode of action: once there was an observant dentist. Journal of Dental Research. 2019; 98: 725–730.

[45] Airoldi G, Riva G, Vanelli M, Filippi V, Garattini G. Oral environment temperature changes induced by cold/hot liquid intake. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. 1997; 112: 58–63.

[46] Cramer MN, Gagnon D, Laitano O, Crandall CG. Human temperature regulation under heat stress in health, disease, and injury. Physiological Reviews. 2022; 102: 1907–1989.

[47] Alharbi S, Alshabib A, Algamaiah H, Aldosari M, Alayad A. Influence of post-printing polymerization time on the elution of residual monomers and water sorption of 3D-printed resin composite. Materials. 2025; 18: 2905.

[48] Alhotan A, Raszewski Z, Alamoush RA, Chojnacka K, Mikulewicz M, Haider J. Influence of storing composite filling materials in a low-pH artificial saliva on their mechanical properties—an in vitro study. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2023; 14: 328.

[49] Odabasi D, Guler C, Kucukaslan D. Evaluation of the amount of residual monomer released from different flowable composite resins. BMC Oral Health. 2024; 24: 244.

[50] Romo-Huerta MJ, Cervantes-Urenda ADR, Velasco-Neri J, Torres-Bugarín O. Valdivia ADCM Genotoxicity associated with residual monomers in restorative dentistry: a systematic review. Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry. 2021; 19: 471–480.

[51] Gore AC, Chappell VA, Fenton SE, Flaws JA, Nadal A, Prins GS, et al. EDC-2: the endocrine society’s second scientific statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Endocrine Reviews. 2015; 36: E1–E150.

[52] Lopes-Rocha L, Hernandez C, Gonçalves V, Pinho T, Tiritan ME. Analytical methods for determination of BPA released from dental resin composites and related materials: a systematic review. Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry. 2024; 54: 653–668.

[53] Löfroth M, Ghasemimehr M, Falk A, Vult von Steyern P. Bisphenol A in dental materials—existence, leakage and biological effects. Heliyon. 2019; 5: e01711.

[54] De Angelis F, Sarteur N, Buonvivere M, Vadini M, SÃåteffl M, D’Arcangelo C. Meta-analytical analysis on components released from resin-based dental materials. Clinical Oral Investigation. 2022; 26: 6015–6041.

[55] Jedeon K, De la Dure-Molla M, Brookes SJ, Loiodice S, Marciano C, Kirkham K, et al. Enamel defects reflect perinatal exposure to bisphenol A. American Journal of Pathology. 2013; 183: 108–118.

[56] Maserejian NN, Trachtenberg FL, Wheaton OB, Calafat AM, Ranganathan G, Kim HY, et al. Changes in urinary bisphenol A concentrations associated with placement of dental composite restorations in children and adolescents. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2016; 147: 620–630.

[57] Marzouk T, Sathyanarayana S, Kim AS, Seminario AL, McKinney CM. A systematic review of exposure to bisphenol a from dental treatment. JDR Clinical and Translational Research. 2019; 4: 106–115.

[58] American Dental Association. Bisphenol A released from resin based dental sealants. ADA Professional Product Review. 2016; 11: 1–6.

[59] Dantagnan CA, Babajko S, Nassif A, Houari S, Jedeon K, François P, et al. Analysis of resin-based dental materials’ composition depending on their clinical applications. Polymers. 2024; 16: 1022.

[60] Rajkumar DS, Padmanaban R. Impact of bisphenol A and analogues eluted from resin-based dental materials on cellular and molecular processes: an insight on underlying toxicity mechanisms. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 2025; 45: 4–22.

[61] Albelasy EH, Raghip AG, Ismail HS. Internal adaptation and micromorphological analysis of a new self-cure resin composite. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry. 2025; 17: e912–e919.

[62] Celik MN, Yesildemir O. Endocrine disruptors in child obesity and related disorders: early critical windows of exposure. Current Nutrition Reports. 2025; 14: 14.

[63] Sharma R, Kotyk MW, Wiltshire WA. An investigation into bisphenol A leaching from materials used intraorally. Journal of the American Dental Association. 2016; 147: 545–550.

[64] Tichy A, Simkova M, Vrbova R, Roubickova A, Duskova M, Bradna P. Bisphenol A release from dental composites and resin-modified glass ionomers under two polymerization conditions. Polymers. 2021; 14: 46.

[65] Hampe T, Wiessner A, Frauendorf H, Alhussein M, Karlovsky P, Bürgers R, et al. A comparative in vitro study on monomer release from bisphenol A-free and conventional temporary crown and bridge materials. European Journal of Oral Sciences. 2021; 129: e12826.

[66] De Nys S, Turkalj M, Duca RC, Covaci A, Elskens M, Godderis L, et al. Level of BPA contamination in resin composites determines BPA release. Dental Materials. 2024; 40: 1025–1030.

[67] Vervliet P, de Nys S, Boonen I, Duca RC, Elskens M, van Landuyt KL, et al. Qualitative analysis of dental material ingredients, composite resins and sealants using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A. 2018; 1576: 90–100.

[68] Jung YH, Wanga HLV, Ruiza D, Bixlera BJ, Linsenbauma H, Xianga JF, et al. Recruitment of CTCF to an Fto enhancer is responsible for transgenerational inheritance of BPA-induced obesity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2022; 119: e2214988119.

[69] Hananeh WM, Al Rukibat R, Jaradat S, Borhan Al-Zghoul M. Exposure assessment of bisphenol A by drinking coffee from plastic cups. Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny. 2021; 72: 49–53.

[70] Alomran WK, Nizami MZI, Xu HHK, Sun J. Evolution of dental resin adhesives—a comprehensive review. Journal of Functional Biomaterials. 2025; 16: 104.

[71] Van Landuyt KL, Nawrot T, Geebelen B, De Munck J, Snauwaert J, Yoshihara K, et al. How much do resin-based dental materials release? A meta-analytical approach. Dental Materials. 2011; 27: 723–747.