Interactions of fibroblasts with soldered and laser-welded joints

Relatively little is known about the biocompatibility of the soldered or laser-welded joints of dental appliances. We investigated the reaction of human gingival fibroblasts cultured in vitro in direct contact with samples of soldered and laser-welded joints from orthodontic lingual arches. Contrast phase light microscopy was used to evaluate cell adhesion, morphology and proliferation after 6 and 24 h and after 7 and 16 days. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed at 16 days. Our in vitro findings provide evidence that laser-welded orthodontic appliances have superior fibroblast biocompatibility.