Biocompatibility Testing

What Is Dental Biocompatibility Testing?

Dental biocompatibility testing is a laboratory test that evaluates how your blood serum reacts to components found in dental materials.

Biocomp Laboratories uses a serum-based testing process in which a blood sample is collected and the serum is evaluated against chemical components associated with dental restorative materials. The results categorize tested components according to their relative degree of reactivity:

• Least Reactive

• Moderately Reactive

• Highly Reactive

Biocomp Laboratories currently reports testing components associated with more than 11,000 dental materials across 21 categories, including composites, bonding materials, cements, crowns, dentures, temporary materials, and other restorative products.

This information can help us make more individualized decisions about the materials we use in your mouth.

Why Consider Dental Biocompatibility Testing?

There is no single dental material that is necessarily ideal for every patient.

Two people can receive the same restorative material and have very different biological responses. Individual differences in immune response, previous exposure to materials, medical history, and other factors may all be relevant when considering dental materials.

Biocomp Labs' testing is designed to provide additional information about an individual's relative serum reactivity to components found in dental materials.

At The Dental Boutique, we can use this information as one part of the overall material-selection process.

Our goal is simple:

Choose the most appropriate material for you—not simply the most commonly used material.

What Dental Materials Can Be Tested?

Biocomp Laboratories maintains a large database of dental materials and their component chemicals.

Testing can include materials from categories such as:

Composite Resins

The tooth-colored materials commonly used for fillings, bonding, veneers, and other restorations.

Bonding Agents & Adhesives

Materials used to bond restorative materials to enamel and dentin.

Dental Cements

Materials used to cement crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, onlays, and other restorations.

Crowns & Ceramic Restorations

Including various ceramic and metal-containing restorative materials.

Metallic Materials

Including various metals and alloys used in dentistry.

Temporary Materials

Materials used during provisional or temporary phases of treatment.

Denture Materials

Materials used in removable dental prosthetics.

Biocomp Labs can also incorporate a practitioner's preferred products into its testing database when necessary.

How Does the Testing Process Work?

The process is relatively straightforward.

1. We discuss your dental materials

Before testing, we discuss your dental history, upcoming treatment, and the types of materials that may be appropriate for your care.

We can identify specific dental products or material categories that we may want to evaluate.

2. You receive a Biocomp Labs testing kit

A testing kit is provided for the blood specimen collection.

3. A blood sample is collected

A blood draw is performed at an appropriate clinical laboratory or blood-draw location.

The laboratory separates the serum from the blood sample according to the testing requirements.

4. Your specimen is sent to Biocomp Laboratories

The prepared serum specimen is shipped to Biocomp Laboratories for testing.

5. Your serum is evaluated against dental-material components

Biocomp Laboratories evaluates the serum's relative reactivity to components associated with dental materials.

6. We review your results

Once testing is complete, the results are provided to the dental provider.

We can then review the results with you and consider them when selecting materials for your treatment.

Biocomp Labs states that standard reporting is generally within 10 business days after the sample and payment are received, with expedited processing available.

What Will My Report Tell Me?

Your Biocomp report categorizes tested materials according to their measured serum reactivity.

Least Reactive

These materials demonstrate the lowest measured reactivity among the tested options.

When clinically appropriate, these may be preferred when selecting between available restorative materials.

Moderately Reactive

These materials demonstrate an intermediate level of measured reactivity.

Depending on the clinical situation and available alternatives, they may or may not be appropriate.

Highly Reactive

These materials demonstrate a higher measured reactivity in the test.

When suitable alternatives are available, we may choose to avoid highly reactive materials.

Importantly, the test does not identify a material as universally "safe" or "unsafe." Biocomp Laboratories itself describes the test as a consulting tool and states that the treating healthcare professional ultimately determines which material is appropriate for a particular restoration.

Who Might Consider Biocompatibility Testing?

Biocompatibility testing may be particularly appealing to patients who want a more individualized approach to dental-material selection.

You may want to consider testing if:

• You are planning extensive restorative dental treatment.

• You expect to receive multiple new restorations.

• You have concerns about the materials being placed in your mouth.

• You want additional information before selecting restorative materials.

• You have had previous concerns or reactions associated with dental materials.

• You are interested in a more personalized, biological approach to dentistry.

• You are undergoing significant replacement or restoration of existing dental work.

Testing is not required for every patient. We can discuss whether it makes sense for your particular situation.

Biocompatibility and Biomimetic Dentistry

At The Dental Boutique, our philosophy is centered around preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

Our approach to restorative dentistry emphasizes:

Preserving healthy tooth structure
Minimizing unnecessary removal of natural tooth structure
Using adhesive restorative techniques
Considering the biological properties of restorative materials
Selecting materials based on the individual patient whenever possible

Biocompatibility testing fits naturally into this philosophy.

The less unnecessarily we alter a healthy tooth, and the more thoughtfully we select the materials we use, the more individualized our approach to restorative dentistry can become.

Is Biocompatibility Testing the Same as an Allergy Test?

No.

Dental biocompatibility testing should not be considered a conventional allergy test.

Biocomp Laboratories describes its test as an in-vitro serum protein reactivity test. The results reflect relative reactivity measured through its testing methodology and should be interpreted in conjunction with your clinical history and your dentist's professional judgment.

If you have a known allergy or suspected allergy to a specific substance, additional medical evaluation may be appropriate.

Does a "Least Reactive" Result Mean a Material Is Guaranteed to Be Safe?

No.

This is an important distinction.

Biocompatibility testing provides additional information that can help guide material selection. It does not guarantee that a particular material will never cause an adverse reaction, nor does it diagnose disease.

Material selection should also consider:

• Your dental condition

• The location of the restoration

• Mechanical requirements

• Esthetics

• Longevity

• Clinical technique

• Existing restorations

• Your medical and dental history

• The availability of appropriate alternatives

We use biocompatibility testing as one piece of the clinical decision-making process, rather than as the sole factor determining treatment.

A More Personalized Approach to Dental Materials

Most dental offices select from a relatively limited number of commonly used materials.

At The Dental Boutique, we believe there is value in asking a different question:

"Which material is most appropriate for this particular patient?"

Biocomp testing can give us another piece of information to consider when answering that question.

It allows us to move beyond simply asking whether a material is commonly used and instead consider how your serum responds to specific material components.

For patients who are particularly interested in biological and biomimetic dentistry, this additional information can be an important part of developing a personalized treatment plan.

What Does Biocompatibility Testing Cost?

Biocompatibility testing is available through The Dental Boutique for patients who would like this additional level of material evaluation.

The current Biocomp Laboratories laboratory test price is $350, which includes the testing kit, laboratory testing, and electronic report. Blood-draw services are separate and may have an additional fee.

We can discuss the testing process and determine whether it would be beneficial before you begin treatment.

Ready to Find Out Which Materials May Be Least Reactive for You?

Your dental materials will become part of your body.

Why not make their selection as personalized as the rest of your dental care?

Ask us about dental biocompatibility testing at your next appointment.

Important Information

Dental biocompatibility testing is an adjunctive laboratory test and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Test results should be interpreted by a qualified healthcare professional in conjunction with the patient's dental and medical history and clinical circumstances.

Biocomp Laboratories states that its results are intended to provide information regarding relative serum reactivity to tested dental-material components and should not be used alone to diagnose or treat a health condition. Material formulations can also change, and testing may be limited by the availability of manufacturer-provided composition information.

The final selection of dental materials remains a clinical decision made by the treating dentist based on the individual patient's circumstances and treatment needs.