Tooth sealing formulation with bacteria‐killing surface and on‐demand ion release/recharge inhibits early childhood caries key pathogens

Abstract

Herein, we investigated a biointeractive tooth sealing material consisted of dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (NACPs) to address the above issues simultaneously. Of note, 5% DMAHDM was incorporated into the resin blend, and 20% NACP was added to inorganic filler content of dental formulations intended as dental sealants. The sealing materials were used to seal human extracted teeth. The sealed teeth were subjected to an early childhood caries (ECC) key pathogen (Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans) biofilm model using a dynamic caries tooth model (CDC reactor). The biofilm growth over the sealed teeth was assessed via colony-forming unit counting metabolic activity assays. The enamel surface hardness loss, degree of conversion, shear bond strength (SBS), and cytotoxicity were also investigated. Formulations having DMAHDM displayed antibacterial efficiency of 2.8-3.5 and 1.4-4.0 log inhibition for Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, respectively. Furthermore, the metabolic activity was reduced on the top of the sealed tooth with the biointeractive sealing materials (p < .05). The degree of conversion values was acceptable. The enamel surface hardness loss decreases (36 ± 9.8%) when in contact with the biointeractive tooth sealing material. The SBS of the combined formulation (5% DMAHDM + 20% NACP) was lower than commercial sealant but similar to experimental control. The investigated sealing material holds valuable dual antibacterial and antifungal activities associated with a reduced mineral loss against the cariogenic challenge promoted by ECC key pathogens.

Flexural Strength, Elastic Modulus and Remineralizing Abilities of Bioactive Resin-Based Dental Sealants

“…This study supported the finding of previous studies which revealed that experimentally developed bioactive pit and fissure sealants could resist the demineralization effect of bacterial acids and/or demineralizing solutions compared to non-bioactive sealants [ 27 , 36 ].…”

“…However, studies have been actively developing and investigating new bioactive materials and their anti-cariogenic effects and mechanical properties [ 22 , 23 , 29 , 35 , 36 ]. Only a few studies have studied the performance of recently introduced bioactive resin-based sealants.…”

Ionic liquid-loaded microcapsules doped into dental resin infiltrants

“…Common methacrylates used to formulate restorative materials, such as triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA), do not present antimicrobial activity [ 12 ]. The antimicrobial property could improve enamel caries prevention by reducing biofilm formation [ 13 ], which may positively impact patients with a high risk of caries that are not being benefited from enamel infiltration [ 14 ]. Antimicrobial agents have been added to resin infiltrants to improve their biological properties and increase their protective effect.…”

Candida albicans and Early Childhood Caries

“…Furthermore, biointeractive dental materials incorporated with antimicrobial and ion releasing/recharging formulations have been explored for the efficacy in interfering C. albicans-S. mutans biofilm formation. Incorporation of dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and amorphous calcium phosphate nanoparticles (NACPs) into dental sealants showed promising effect on inhibiting C. albicans-S. mutans dual-species biofilm formation and preventing enamel mineral loss in vitro (76). Thus, using these selective materials may have beneficial effect in inhibiting C. albicans-S. mutans biofilm formation.…”