Purpose: To evaluate the effect of some restorative materials on mutans streptococci colonization.
Methods: Awild strain of mutans streptococci was isolated from human dental plaque and a monospecific biofilm adherent to the surfaces of 12 adhesive restorative materials (F2000, Dyract AP, Compoglass F, Z100 MP, Filtek Z250, Clearfil, Ketac-Bond, Ketac-Fil Plus, Ketac-Molar, Fuji Cap II, Fuji Bond LC and Fuji II LC) were tested. A colorimetric technique (MTT assay), based on the reduction of a yellow tetrazolium salt to a purple formazan, was used to evaluate the biomass adherent to the disk surfaces after a 24-hour growth.
Results: One-way ANOVA showed that glass-ionomer cements (Fuji Cap II, Ketac-Bond, Ketac-Fil and Ketac-Molar) had similar antibacterial effects on mutans streptococci and were significantly more effective (P < 0.001) than all other products tested in reducing the biofilm development on their surfaces. The compomers (Dyract, Compoglass F and F 2000) showed a significantly higher value of bacterial colonization than all the other materials (P < 0.001).