Is Bis-GMA (Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate) safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsDirect dental sealant application is uncommon in infants, but exposure may occur through dental restorations in primary teeth. Immature detoxification increases concern.
What is bis-gma (bisphenol a-glycidyl methacrylate)?
Bis-GMA (Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate) is a dental monomer, methacrylate resin, bisphenol A derivative.
The IUPAC name is [2-hydroxy-3-[4-[2-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)propoxy]phenyl]propan-2-yl]phenoxy]propyl] 2-methylprop-2-enoate.
Also known as: Bis-GMA, Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate, Bowen's resin, 2,2-Bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxypropoxy)phenyl]propane.
- IUPAC name
- [2-hydroxy-3-[4-[2-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-(2-methylprop-2-enoyloxy)propoxy]phenyl]propan-2-yl]phenoxy]propyl] 2-methylprop-2-enoate
- CAS number
- 1565-94-2
- Molecular formula
- C29H36O8
- Molecular weight
- 512.6 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC(=C)C(=O)OCC(O)COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C)(C)C2=CC=C(OCC(O)COC(=O)C(C)=C)C=C2
- PubChem CID
- 15284
Risk for babies
Moderate riskDirect dental sealant application is uncommon in infants, but exposure may occur through dental restorations in primary teeth. Immature detoxification increases concern.
Infants rarely receive Bis-GMA-containing dental materials directly. However, restorative procedures on primary teeth may use composites. Immature hepatic metabolism and developing endocrine systems make infants more vulnerable to BPA-like compounds.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentEstrogenic activity of Bis-GMA and potential BPA release raise concern during pregnancy. Dental treatment during pregnancy should consider material selection.
BPA is a known endocrine disruptor that crosses the placenta. Bis-GMA can release BPA through hydrolytic and enzymatic degradation. While the amount released from a single dental restoration is small, the developing fetus is sensitive to estrogenic compounds during critical windows. Professional dental associations generally consider composite restorations acceptable during pregnancy but recommend delaying elective procedures to the second trimester.
Regulatory consensus
3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Bis-GMA (Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate). The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDA | — | Cleared for use in dental materials | FDA-cleared as a component of dental composite resins, sealants, and adhesives. Class II medical device components. |
| EU SCCS | — | BPA release from dental materials noted as concern | Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety opinions have addressed BPA release from Bis-GMA-based dental materials. SCCS/1516/13 opinion on BPA. |
| ISO | — | ISO 4049 — Dentistry polymer-based restorative materials | Bis-GMA-containing composites must comply with ISO 4049 standards for polymer-based dental restorative materials. |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter bis-gma (bisphenol a-glycidyl methacrylate)
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Dental Material
Primary monomer in most dental composite filling materials. Typically 15-25% of the resin matrix by weight.
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Dental Material
Major component of sealants applied to children's molars for caries prevention.
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Dental Material
Component of dentin bonding agents used in restorative procedures.
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Medical Material
Used in some bone cement formulations for orthopedic applications.
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Bis-GMA (Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate):
- UDMA (urethane dimethacrylate) — non-BPA-based dental monomer
- Glass ionomer cements — no methacrylate monomers
- Ormocer (organically modified ceramics) — reduced monomer leaching
- TEGDMA-free and Bis-GMA-free composites (emerging formulations)
Frequently asked questions
Is bis-gma (bisphenol a-glycidyl methacrylate) safe for kids?
Direct dental sealant application is uncommon in infants, but exposure may occur through dental restorations in primary teeth. Immature detoxification increases concern.
What should I do if my child is exposed to bis-gma (bisphenol a-glycidyl methacrylate)?
Discuss alternative dental materials (glass ionomer cements) with pediatric dentist for infant/toddler restorations.
Why do regulators disagree about bis-gma (bisphenol a-glycidyl methacrylate)?
Bis-GMA (Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate) has been classified by 3 agencies including FDA, EU SCCS, ISO, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
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Open in baby View raw API dataReference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →