Abstract
Purpose: Bacterial adhesion represents the initial step in biofilm formation, dental caries and decay. This study aimed to evaluate and compare surface roughness and bacterial adhesion to bulk fill resin composites polished with different systems. Methods: Filtek Z350 XT (Incremental-fill resin composite), Filtek Bulk-fill Posterior (Bulk-fill resin composite), and Tetric N Ceram (Bulk-fill resin composite) were used as resin composites. The polishing systems used in this study were Sof-Lex multi-step, PoGo one step, and Mylar strip. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the surface roughness and adhesion of Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 standard strain to bulk-fill resin composites. Results: The type of restorative materials did not affect the surface roughness or bacterial adhesion (p > 0.05) but the polishing systems were significant (p < 0.05) influencing factors. Furthermore, Pearson correlation revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.001) association (R = 0.943) between surface roughness and bacterial adhesion to the tested surfaces. Conclusion: Regardless of the restorative material, Mylar polishing system revealed the smoothest surface and the lowest adhesion of S. mutans as compared to Pogo one step and Sof-Lex multi-step polishing systems.
Highlights
Oral biofilm is formed of miscellaneous microbes found on the tooth surface, and enclosed in a matrix of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin
This study aimed to evaluate and compare surface roughness and bacterial adhesion to bulk fill resin composites polished with different systems
Different resin composites (FiltekZ350 XT, FiltekZ350 XT, and Tetric N Ceram) had no statistically significant (p > 0.05) influence on the surface roughness and this can be attributed to the existence of polishing systems
Summary
Oral biofilm is formed of miscellaneous microbes found on the tooth surface, and enclosed in a matrix of polymers of bacterial and salivary origin. The main causes for restoration replacement are dental surface biodegradation, secondary caries, and periodontal inflammation associated with oral biofilm formation. The initial and critical step of plaque formation includes adhesion of bacteria known as early colonizers such as oral streptococci [1] [2]. These bacteria bind to various proteins including alpha-amylase, proline-rich proteins, and glycoprotein [3]. The adhesion and initial colonizing of bacteria along cracks and pits in enamel were shown by microscopic examination of early plaque formation, indicating the influence of surface structure on bacterial adhesion [2]. Within the past few years this esthetic look of tooth-colored restorations is of large significance to each the dentist and patient [6]
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