Endotoxin Affinity for Provisional Restorative Resins

This study compared the relative affinity of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Escherichia coli endotoxin, bacterial cell envelope lipopolysaccharide (LPS), for three provisional resins. As‐polymerized and pumiced polymethyl methacrylate and polyethyl methacrylate resin discs were exposed to 1,000 endotoxin U/mL P.gingivalis or E. coli LPS in water for 24 hours at 37°C, whereas control discs were placed in LPS‐free water. LPS‐treated discs were transferred at 24‐hour intervals to fresh, LPS‐free water for up to 96 hours, and the incubated eluates were tested for the presence of LPS. Initial adherence of P. gingivalis LPS to as‐polymerized and pumiced‐finish resin was a function of resin type, but surface characteristics modified adherence levels. When steady rates of elution were reached at 72 to 96 hours, as‐polymerized specimens released significantly greater LPS levels than pumiced samples. Comparison of initial adherence of P. gingivalis and E. coli LPS with pumiced resins showed that adherence was based on a combination of LPS and resin type. P. gingivalis LPS had a greater relative affinity for polyethyl methacrylate, and E. coli LPS had a greater relative affinity for polymethyl methacrylate. Regardless of resin type, P. gingivalis LPS eluted at levels greater than E. coli LPS. The affinity of LPS for provisional resins seems to be a function of selective interactions based on the chemical nature of the resin, the surface finish of the resin, and the molecular structure of the LPS.