Abstract

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are commonly used for cementing full cast crown restorations. Regrettably, although the dental cements fill the gap between the tooth and the crown, bacterial microleakage may occur, resulting in secondary caries. As microleakage cannot be completely prevented, GICs possessing antibacterial properties are in demand. In the present study the antibacterial activity of insoluble, cross‐linked quaternary ammonium polyethylenimine (QPEI) nanoparticles incorporated at 1% w/w in two clinically available GICs were studied. The antibacterial activity was tested against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei using the direct contact test (DCT) and the agar diffusion test (ADT). Using the direct contact test, antibacterial activity (P < 0.05) was found in both tested GICs with incorporated QPEI nanoparticles, the effect lasting for at least one month. However, the ADT showed no inhibition halo in the test bacteria, indicating that the antimicrobial nanoparticles do not diffuse into the agar. The results show that the incorporation of QPEI nanoparticles in glass ionomer cements has a long‐lasting antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei. Changing the antibacterial properties of glass ionomer cements by incorporating QPEI antibacterial nanoparticles may prolong the clinical performance of dental crowns.

Highlights

  • Most of the currently used dental restorative materials do not form a long-lasting perfect seal with the cavity wall

  • The average optical density measurements of S. mutans growth in 8 wells after direct contact with the one-week-aged materials are shown in Figure 1(a), comparing the antibacterial effect of the two clinically available Glass ionomer cements (GICs) materials with and without the added quaternary ammonium polyethylenimine (QPEI) nanoparticles

  • The ability to reduce bacterial growth would lower the risk of further demineralization and cavitation, since dental caries is an infectious disease and eradication of cariogenic bacteria is Growth rate (%) optical density (OD)

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Summary

Introduction

Most of the currently used dental restorative materials do not form a long-lasting perfect seal with the cavity wall. Secondary caries has been identified as the major factor responsible for the longevity of dental restorations [4,5,6]. Cements, such as glass-ionomer cements, are used to fill gaps and serve as sealing agents between the tooth preparation and dental crowns. Several in vitro studies have confirmed that GICs have an antibacterial potential [8,9,10,11,12] These antibacterial properties are attributed to fluoride release, which is believed to inhibit microbial growth and metabolism. Therapeutic benefits may be gained upon combining antibacterial agents with GIC materials

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