We recently developed a dental bonding agent to bond restorations to teeth using nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) for remineralization with rechargeable calcium and phosphate ion release. The objectives of this study were to: (1) incorporate an antibacterial monomer dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and a protein-repellent agent 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC); and (2) investigate protein adsorption and periodontitis-related biofilms for the first time. A primer, used to prime tooth structures for bonding, was made with pyromellitic glycerol dimethacrylate (PMGDM) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). An adhesive was made with PMGDM, ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate and HEMA. NACP, MPC and DMAHDM were incorporated. Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum were cultured to form single and multi-species biofilms. Colony-forming units (CFU), live/dead, metabolic activity, and polysaccharide were measured. Adding DMAHDM, MPC and NACP into the bonding agent did not compromise the dentin bond strength (p > 0.1). Bonding agents with 5% MPC reduced protein adsorption to 1/15 that of the control (p < 0.05). Bonding agents with 5% DMAHDM + 5% MPC had much greater reduction in biofilms than DMAHDM or MPC alone (p < 0.05). Biofilm CFU was reduced by 3 to 4 log via DMAHDM + MPC. Metabolic activities and polysaccharide of biofilms were also substantially reduced (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a novel bonding agent was developed for dental restorations with inhibition of biofilms, reducing CFU by 3 to 4 log. Besides remineralizartion and acid-neutralization via NACP to inhibit caries as shown previously, the multifunctional adhesive is promising for root restorations with subgingival margins to suppress periodontal pathogens and protect the periodontium.
Keywords: Dental bonding agent; antibacterial; periodontal pathogens; protein-repellent; root caries; single and multiple species biofilms.