Dental adhesives with bioactive and on-demand bactericidal properties

Abstract

Objectives The aim of the present work was to perform the first in vitro evaluation of a new interfacial bond-promoting material-and-method concept for on-demand long term bacteria inhibition in dental restoration procedures. Methods The bioactivity, mechanical bonding strength and photocatalytic bactericidal properties, induced by low dose ultraviolet-A (UV-A) irradiation of dental adhesives containing crystalline titania nanoparticles (NPs), were analyzed. Results Dental adhesives with a NP content of 20 wt% were shown to be bioactive in terms of spontaneous hydroxylapatite formation upon storage in simulated body fluid and the bioactivity was found to be promoted by chemical etching of the adhesives. The mechanical bonding strength between the adhesives and a HA tooth model was shown to be unaffected by the NPs up to a NP content of 30 wt%. Elimination of Staphylococcus epidermidis in contact with the adhesives was found to depend both on UV photocatalytic irradiation intensity and time. Efficient elimination of the bacteria could be achieved using a UV-A dose of 4.5 J/cm 2 which is about 6 times below the safe maximum UV dose according to industry guidelines, and 20 times below the average UV-A dose received during an ordinary sun bed session. Significance The combined features of bioactivity and on-demand bactericidal effect should open up the potential to create dental adhesives that reduce the incidence of secondary caries and promote closure of gaps forming at the interface towards the tooth via remineralization of adjacent tooth substance, as well as prevention of bacterial infections via on-demand UV-A irradiation.