Abstract: Comet assay is a method which can detect DNA damage and repair under level of single cell, being a kind of fast, cost-efficient technique to detect genotoxicity such as DNA single-strand breaks, DNA double-strand breaks, alkali-labile sites and so on, has been extensively employed in fields like toxicology genetic, eco-genotoxicity. In recent years, new dental materials develop constantly, in the meantime, dental materials contact with the oral enviroment directly and act on human body for a long time. The genetic toxicty evaluation system of it needs to be improved immediately. Comet assay has been employed in various of fields and becomes an indispensable part of genetic toxicity assessment. Therefore, it is necessary to apply the method to detect the biosafety of new dental materials.

Key words: Comet assay, Genotoxicity, DNA damage and repair