Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the anticariogenic biofilm activity of a novel zinc-containing glass ionomer cement, Caredyne Restore (CR), using a flow-cell system that reproduces Stephan responses. Streptococcus mutans biofilms were cultured on either CR or hydroxyapatite (HA) discs mounted on a modified Robbins device. The media were allowed to flow at a speed of 2 mL/min for 24 h while exposed to an acidic buffer twice for 30 min to mimic dietary uptake. Acid exposure enhanced biofilm inhibition in the CR group, which showed 2.6 log CFU/mm2 in viable cells and a 2 log copies/mL reduction in total cells compared to the untreated group after 24 h of incubation, suggesting enhanced anticariogenic activity due to the release of fluoride and zinc ions. However, there was no difference in the number of viable and total cells between the two experimental groups after 24 h of incubation in the absence of an acidic environment. The anticariogenic biofilm activity of CR occurs in acidic oral environments, for example in the transient pH drop following dietary uptake. CR restorations are recommended in patients at high risk of caries due to hyposalivation, difficulty brushing, and frequent sugar intake.
Highlights
Oral biofilms are communities of bacteria embedded within an extracellular matrix, creating a highly organized structure on hard dental tissue [1,2,3]
The number of biofilms on the HA increased during the culture for another 12 h following exposure to the acidic solution (Figure 2c,i)
The number of biofilms formed on the Caredyne Restore (CR) for 24 h (Figure 2r,x) when exposed to two acidic environments was much lower than that in the unexposed environment (Figure 2q,w). These findings indicated that CR has enhanced antibiofilm activity under acidic conditions
Summary
Oral biofilms are communities of bacteria embedded within an extracellular matrix, creating a highly organized structure on hard dental tissue [1,2,3]. Frequent consumption of dietary sucrose provides a substrate for extracellular polysaccharide production and organic acid synthesis by acidogenic microorganisms [4]. If the biofilm persists on the tooth surface, the interface between the tooth and the biofilm causes demineralization, prompting the development of a carious lesion [1,4]. To prevent this process, there are three main approaches, focusing on virulence (biofilm), host, and lifestyle factors
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