Abstract
This study investigated the effect of 25% silver nitrate (AgNO3) and 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish with functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (fTCP) on a Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm and dentine caries lesion. Demineralised dentine specimens were treated with 25% AgNO3 and 5% NaF + fTCP (Group 1), 25% AgNO3 and 5% NaF (Group 2), 25% AgNO3 (Group 3), or water (Group 4). The specimens were subjected to a S. mutans biofilm challenge after treatment. The biofilm was then studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and colony forming units (CFU). The specimens were assessed by micro-computed tomography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). SEM and CLSM revealed less biofilm in Groups 1 to 3. The log10 CFU of Groups 1 to 4 were 4.5 ± 0.7, 4.4 ± 0.9, 4.4 ± 0.9, and 6.7 ± 1.0, respectively (Groups 1, 2, 3 < 4, p < 0.001). The lesion depths of Groups 1 to 4 were 212.6 ± 20.1 µm, 280.8 ± 51.6 µm, 402.5 ± 61.7 µm, and 497.4 ± 67.2 µm, respectively (Groups 1 < 2 < 3 < 4, p < 0.001). XRD demonstrated silver chloride formation in Groups 1, 2, and 3. FTIR found the amide I: HPO42− values of the four groups were 0.22 ± 0.05, 0.25 ± 0.05, 0.41 ± 0.12, and 0.64 ± 0.14, respectively (Groups 1, 2 < 3 < 4; p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study revealed that AgNO3 and NaF + fTCP reduced the damage of dentine caries by cariogenic biofilm.
Highlights
Dental caries is a biofilm-mediated disease on susceptible tooth surfaces resulting from cariogenic bacteria [1,2]
This study investigated the effect of 25% silver nitrate (AgNO3) and 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish with functionalized tri-calcium phosphate on a Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm and dentine caries lesion
Results of this study showed that the growth of S. mutans biofilm on the dentine surface was retarded with AgNO3, with or without the fluoride agents (i.e., NaF or NaF with functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (fTCP))
Summary
Dental caries is a biofilm-mediated disease on susceptible tooth surfaces resulting from cariogenic bacteria [1,2]. Dentists used AgNO3 for the treatment of caries and indirect pulp capping because it could permeate and fill the affected dentine with the antibacterial silver particles [3]. AgNO3 exhibits a strong antibacterial action, it has no obvious effect on remineralisation. A topical application of AgNO3 solution followed by NaF varnish was proposed on the basis of the outstanding antibacterial effect of AgNO3 and the remineralising property of NaF [4]. Fluoride varnish containing 5% sodium fluoride (22,600 ppm F) is a common topical fluoride that dentists have used for caries management for decades. The adhesive property of NaF varnish prolongs its contact time on the tooth surface [6], enhancing the uptake of fluoride and promoting remineralisation. The theoretical advantage of using AgNO3 solution together with NaF varnish is that the varnish may prevent the washing away or dilution of the applied AgNO3 with saliva
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