Background: Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is one of the widely used organic monomers in dentistry. It may cause multiple adverse reactions, ranging from allergic reaction to systemic toxicity. Dentistry students are exposed to MMA in an acute manner; however, the concentration of its vapor cannot be estimated well.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute MMA vapor inhalation on the pulmonary function of dental students, both smokers and non-smokers.
Material and methods: Thirty-eight male dental students were divided into 2 groups (group 1 - smokers and group 2 - non-smokers). The lung function parameters of the students were tested with a spirometer during their ordinary training work in a prosthodontics laboratory, before contact with MMA and immediately after it. The lung function test was performed using a standard protocol. The students were asked not to use any perfume or aromatic overlaps for a period of 24 h before starting the tests.
Results: The researchers noted a statistically significant decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of the pulmonary volume (FEF25-75), and forced expiratory flow at 25% (FEF25) and 50% (FEF50) of the pulmonary volume in smokers and non-smokers by comparing the preand post-work tests.
Conclusions: Acute inhalation of MMA vapor induced a moderate restriction of pulmonary function in dental students, both smokers and non-smokers, during their routine prosthodontics laboratory training work. No differences in the results of the pulmonary function tests between smokers and non-smokers were observed.
Keywords: methyl methacrylate; pulmonary function; smokers; spirometer.