Abstract
In this study, we have designed a more clinically powerful anti-caries treatment by applying the amelogenin-derived peptide QP5 to the antibacterial carrier material chitosan in a hydrogel (CS-QP5 hydrogel), and characterized its effects on the inhibition of a cariogenic biofilm and the promotion of the remineralization of the initial caries lesions. The results indicated that the CS-QP5 hydrogel sustainably inhibited the growth of the Streptococcus mutans biofilm, lactic acid production and the metabolic activity over a prolonged period of time. Moreover, the CS-QP5 hydrogel promoted the remineralization of early enamel lesions, which were indicated by surface micro-hardness (, polarized light microscopy and transverse microradiography. In conclusion, the CS-QP5 hydrogel shows good potential for caries control in the clinic because of its antibacterial effects as well as the remineralization of initial enamel carious lesions even in a biofilm model over a prolonged period of time.
Highlights
Dental caries is a dietary carbohydrate-modified bacterial infectious disease and is one of the most common global oral health problems in the world today [1]
Our goal was to (i) apply the amelogenin-derived peptide QP5 to antibacterial carrier chitosan to obtain a dual anti-caries complex, (ii) determine the long-term effects of a chitosan hydrogel containing QP5 (CS-QP5 hydrogel) on an S. mutans biofilm and (iii) determine whether the CS-QP5 hydrogel can promote the remineralization of the early enamel lesions in the biofilm model
The colony-forming unit (CFU) decreased in the NaF group, it was still higher than that in the CS-QP5 hydrogel group
Summary
Dental caries is a dietary carbohydrate-modified bacterial infectious disease and is one of the most common global oral health problems in the world today [1]. It is defined as the destruction of the dental hard acellular tissue by acidic by-products from the bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, sucrose. It progresses slowly in most of the people and is attributed to an ecological imbalance in the equilibrium between tooth minerals and oral biofilms, which is characterized by microbial activity, resulting in fluctuations in the plaque pH due to bacterial acid production, suffering action from the saliva and the surrounding tooth structure [2]. The alternative, effective no-fluoride anti-caries agents need to be explored
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