Introduction: Recent studies have reported the incorporation of modifiers with conventional Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) to enhance its antibacterial effect. One such modification being the addition of Chitosan (CH). However, these modifiers might affect the physical properties of the restorations.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of modifying the liquid phase of conventional GIC with 10% v/v CH on the antibacterial properties and adhesion to enamel in comparison to conventional GIC.
Materials and methods: The liquid of commercially available restorative GIC (Fuji IX, GC Industrial Corporation, Japan) was modified with 10% v/v CH solution (Everest Biotech, Bengaluru). GIC powders were mixed with the unmodified and the CH-modified liquids at the desired powder/liquid ratio. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to determine the setting reaction between the conventional and CH modified GIC liquid with GIC powder. For evaluation of the antibacterial properties, biofilms of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) were formed on the GIC discs and characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). For the characterization of the adhesive properties, the unmodified and CH-modified GICs were bonded to the enamel surface and the microshear bond strength (μSBs) was evaluated. Student's paired t-test was used to compare the micro-shear bond strength between CH modified GIC and unmodified GIC.
Results: Modification with 10% v/v CH solution improved the antibacterial properties of GIC against S. mutans in terms of resistance to biofilm formation which was assessed using SEM. Microshear bond strength of CH modified GIC was 85.40 MPa compared to 46.94 MPa of conventional GIC. This difference was found to be statistically significant.
Conclusion: Modifying the liquid phase of a conventional GIC with 10% v/v CH significantly improves the antibacterial property of GIC as well as its adhesion to enamel.
Keywords: Antibacterial properties; Biocompatible; Streptococcus mutans.