Designing dental composites with bioactive and bactericidal properties

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this work was to fabricate and evaluate new antibacterial and bioactive composites capable of strictly controlling oral bacteria, enhancing apatite layer formation and retaining their mechanical properties.

Methods: A new Ag-doped bioactive glass (Ag-BG) was incorporated into flowable dental composite (COMP) in different concentrations (1, 5, and 15 wt.%) in order to fabricate new combined bioactive and antibacterial composite materials (Ag-BGCOMPs). The antibacterial properties, bioactivity, and total bond strength of the Ag-BGCOMPs were evaluated.

Results: The bioactivity of the Ag-BG was confirmed after its immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The total bond strength between the surrounding tooth tissue and the new composites or the control (dental composite alone) has not shown any statistically significant difference in the performed pilot study. Antibacterial activity was observed against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) for the Ag-BGCOMP 5 wt.% and 15 wt.% but not for the Ag-BGCOMP 1 wt.% or the control.

Conclusions: This work contributes to our long term aim which is the fabrication of dental materials capable of reducing bacteria invasion and enhancing remineralization of the surrounding dental tissues.

Significance: We anticipate that these new composites could ultimately prevent restoration failure by inhibiting the formation of secondary caries and by remineralizing the hard tissues surrounding tooth lesions.

Keywords: Ag-doped bioactive glass; Antibacterial properties; Bioactivity; Dental composite; Total bond strength.