Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effects of static magnetic fields on human periodontal fibroblasts in vitro med./bio.

By: Linder-Aronson A, Lindskog S
Published in: Swed Dent J 1995; 19 (4): 131-137
Download citation in RIS format

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To study if cell growth and attachment in vitro is affected in a static magnetic field of a magnitude comparable to that used clinically in orthodontic treatment.

Background/further details

In orthodontic treatment, the use of mechanical forces generated by magnetic fields have increased significantly, triggered by the introduction of rare earth permanent magnetic alloys. Rare earth magnets generate high mechanical forces in relation to their small size.
Periodontal ligament cells were obtained from a healthy human upper right first premolar of a 12 year old boy.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1:
Exposure duration: 1 day/week, repeated weekly for 5 weeks

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency
Type
Exposure duration 1 day/week, repeated weekly for 5 weeks
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • 8 neodymium iron boron magnets (32 cm in diameter, 7 mm thick) encased in a stainless steel jacket
Setup The culture vessels with a surface area of 8 cm² were placed on the top of the magnets separating the cells from the magnetic surface by a distance of 0.8 mm.
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
magnetic flux density 280 mT maximum measured - at the surface of the magnet
Additional parameter details

230 mT was measured at the bottom of the culture dishes. 160 mT and 107 mT were measured at the border of the magnets and cultures dishes, respectively.

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • during exposure
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Significantly and progressively impaired cell attachment and cell growth over a 5 week period was revealed when human periodontal fibroblasts were cultured in a static magnetic field.
These data suggest that a static magnetic field itself is capable of influencing vital cell functions in vitro.

Study character:

Study funded by