Potential toxicity of alginates

Abstract

Alginate impression material is very much used in clinicai dentistry for several reasons: relatively cheap, easy to manipulate, good reproduction capacity of details and confortable to the patient. However, certain potentially toxic elements like lead may be part of the composition and as such may constitute risk factors to the patient and/or the dentist. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate, qualitatively and quantitatively, the presence of these elements in the powder of some alginates disposable at local dental dealers and used in the Dental School of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul - UFGRS. Te analysis was realized with Atomic Absorption Spectophotometry and the results showed that only two brands contained lead. The amounts however were less than 0,004 mg/g. The maximum value allowed by the British Standard Institute (B.S.I.) is 25 mg/g or 250 ppm. As to other potentially toxic elements none appeared in amounts that could exceed biological safety standards.