RESUMEN
AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the cytotoxicity and degree of conversion (DC) of self-etch resin cements with or without photopolymerization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three self-etching resin cements with or without photopolymerization were evaluated. Six test groups and one control group represented by a standardized L929-fibroblast cell culture were formed. The DC was measured by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and was correlated with cell culture survival. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The analysis of variance and Bonferroni-Holm tests were applied (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The results show that, the cytotoxicity of self-etching resin cements is directly related to the DC. With the exception of Unicem, the other cements show some level of cytotoxicity, even with photopolymerization. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that photopolymerization of dual cure self-etching resin cements decrease toxic effects on cell culture. Adequate photopolymerization should be considered during cementation when using dual polymerization self-etching resin cements.