Abstract
BackgroundThe use of antimicrobial solutions has been recommended to disinfect demineralized dentin prior to placing the filling material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of several antimicrobials in controlling Streptococcus mutans (SM) biofilm formed in dentin.MethodsAntimicrobial activity of 0.2% and 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), 0.2% cetrimide (CTR) and 0.2%, 0.5%, 1% and 2% alexidine (ALX) was assayed on 1-week SM biofilm formed on standardized coronal dentin blocks. Results of SM biofilm antimicrobial activity by different protocols were expressed as the kill percentage of biofilm and the term “eradication” was used to denote the kill of 100% of the bacterial population. To compare the efficacies of the different protocols the Student t test was used, previously subjecting data to the Anscombe transformation.ResultsAll ALX concentrations tested and 0.2% CTR achieved a kill percentage higher than 99%, followed by 2% CHX with percentages above 96% (no statistically significant difference among them). Whereas 2% ALX and 0.2% CTR respectively showed eradication in 10 and 9 of the twelve specimens, 0.2% CHX did not produce eradication in any case.ConclusionsThe present study shows that, when used for one minute, 2% and 1% alexidine, and 0.2% cetrimide, achieve eradication of Streptococcus mutans biofilm in most specimens when applied to a dentin-volumetric model.
Highlights
The use of antimicrobial solutions has been recommended to disinfect demineralized dentin prior to placing the filling material
Dental caries is a chronic and transmissible disease characterized by demineralization of the tooth due to acids produced by bacteria in biofilms formed on its surface
A limited number of microorganisms persist under restorations a few months after the partial caries removal and sealing [5,8,9], some cariogenic bacteria may be found within the remaining microorganisms, such as Streptococcus mutans, which is currently found on sealed carious dentin [2,6,7,8,9]
Summary
The use of antimicrobial solutions has been recommended to disinfect demineralized dentin prior to placing the filling material. Streptococcus mutans (SM) is considered one of the most cariogenic bacteria present in human dental biofilm [1] and in dentin caries lesions [1,2,3]. The treatment of deep caries lesions has traditionally involved removal of all the soft demineralized dentin before a filling is placed. A limited number of microorganisms persist under restorations a few months after the partial caries removal and sealing [5,8,9], some cariogenic bacteria may be found within the remaining microorganisms, such as Streptococcus mutans, which is currently found on sealed carious dentin [2,6,7,8,9]. It has recently been reported that the genotypic diversity of SM decreased after partial dentin removal and sealing, whereas the virulence traits of SM were unchanged, maintaining the same cariogenic potential [9]
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