Bisphenol A Release from Fiber-Reinforced vs. Conventional Stainless-Steel Fixed Retainers: An In Vitro Study

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate in vitro BPA release from two common fiberglass fixed lingual canine-to-canine retainers and to compare these amounts with those released from a conventional multistranded stainless-steel orthodontic retainer. Methods: Fifty-four recently extracted teeth were divided into groups of six teeth each, formed in an arch shape. Three different retainer types were evaluated: Ribbond, EverStick Ortho and Wildcut wire. Three identical specimens were constructed for each retainer type. BPA release was determined with validated the liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method at 1 and 24 h, as well as at 7, 14 and 30 days. The method’s limits of detection and quantification were 0.32 ng/mL and 0.96 ng/mL, respectively. A two-way mixed, repeated-measures analysis of variance with Greenhouse–Geisser correction was employed to verify the existence of any significant differences. Results: Higher levels of BPA were released from the polyethylene fiber and glass fiber retainer in comparison with the conventional retainer in the present study. The differences between the systems over time were not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Conclusions: In vitro BPA release during the first month did not differ between the examined retainer types. The highest BPA concentrations were observed at 1 month.