Abstract
In this study, bioactive glasses were designed for the purposes of reducing the incidence of dental caries and lesion formation by supplying the teeth with therapeutic ions which may support remineralization and provide an antibacterial effect against oral cavity bacteria. Three glasses were synthesised through the melt quench method: Si-Control (SiO2-CaO-P2O5-Na2O), Si-02 and Si-05, where 0.2% and 0.5% Ag2O were substituted, respectively, for SiO2 in the control glass. The glasses were then ground, characterized and dissolved in tris buffer solution (pH=7.30) for 6, 12 and 24 hours, with the pH rise of the solution being recorded (7.48 for Si-Control, and 7.66 for both Si-02 and Si-05 after 24 hours) and the ions that were released into the tris buffer solution quantified. Samples of each glass were subsequently embedded into non-fluoridated toothpaste and samples of the paste were used to brush resin-mounted lamb molars after a 1.0M HCl overnight demineralization challenge. Knoop microhardness measurements were recorded before and after brushing to determine the presence of remineralization on the surface of the teeth (Percent Surface Hardness Loss of 37%, 35% and 34% for Si-Control, Si-02 and Si-05 respectively after 24 hours). Four oral cavity bacterial strains were isolated through swabs of the inner cheek, gums and teeth surfaces of three volunteers, and placed on agar discs. 0.5g of each glass were placed onto the discs and the resultant inhibition zones were measured after 6, 12 and 24 hours. Si-05 consistently performed better than Si-02 on all strains and timeframes, while Si-Control exhibited no antibacterial effect at any time point.
Highlights
Dental caries is among the most common preventable diseases worldwide [1]
Si-Control pH Respone Si-02 pH Response Si-05 pH Response. It is apparent from the figure above that the pH of the tris buffer solution increases over time as the glass degrades
Si-05 releases a smaller concentration of calcium, sodium and phosphorous ions when compared with Si-02 and Si-Control after 24 hours
Summary
Dental caries is among the most common preventable diseases worldwide [1]. It is caused by physiological issues such as poor salivary flow, poor dietary choices and inadequate oral hygiene [1]. 92% of adults aged between 20 and 64 years and 60 to 90% of children have been affected by caries at least once in their lifetime [2], [3]. Caries is the local dissolution of hard dental tissue by acids produced by bacteria in the mouth [1] These bacteria, which exist within the plaque build up on teeth, process fermentable carbohydrates to produce weak acids [1], [4]. These acids cause calcium, carbonate and phosphate ions to leech out of the enamel and dentine, weakening the mineral and resulting in decay [1]. This process can be reversed by buffering the oral environment and restoring it to the original pH value; saliva is an effective natural buffer [5]. If the pH is not restored or if the ionic material needed for remineralization is not available, demineralization can progress into lesions and cavities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
