Preparation of experimental resin composites with an anti-adhesion effect against S. mutans using branched silicone methacrylate

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to prepare anti-bacterial experimental resin composites with synthesized branched silicone methacrylate (BSM), and evaluate the influence of BSM on the physiochemical properties of the experimental resin composites. BSM was synthesized through a reaction between branched amino silicone and isocyanatoethyl methacrylate, and it was incorporated into 2,2-bis [4- (2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxy-propoxy)phenyl] propane (Bis-GMA)/triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) (50 wt/50 wt) with a series of concentrations to form resin matrices. The experimental composites (EC) were then prepared by mixing different resin matrices with silaned BaAlSiO2 fillers. The double bond conversion, volumetric shrinkage, and mechanical properties of the prepared experimental resin composites were measured among groups with different BSM concentrations. A bacterial adhesion assay for bacteria colony counting was conducted using Streptococcus mutans. The results showed that all of the experimental resin composites had nearly the same double bond conversion ranging from 60.9 ± 0.3% to 62.4 ± 1.3% (p > 0.05). BSM could reduce the volumetric shrinkage of experimental resin composites, and composites with 20 wt% and 30 wt% of BSM in the resin matrix had the lowest volumetric shrinkage (p < 0.05). The flexural strength would be impaired after adding 30 wt% of BSM into the resin matrix of experimental resin composites, and BSM had no negative influence on the flexural modulus in this study. The water contact angles on the surfaces of BSM-containing composites were all higher than that on the surface of control group (p < 0.05), and followed a trend of increasing with the increase of the BSM concentration. S. mutans adherence on the surfaces of the EC-10%, EC-15%, EC-20% and EC-30% groups were significantly lower compared with the control group. This work suggested that the hydrophobic resin composites incorporating of BSM could reduce S. mutans adhesion and possibly increase the longevity of resin composite restorations.