Inhibition of bacterial and glucan adherence to various light-cured fluoride-releasing restorative materials

Objectives: This study investigated the potential plaque adhesion properties of various light-cured fluoride-releasing restorative materials by measuring the amount of adhering radiolabeled bacteria and glucan. Methods: Three resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGI) and two polyacid-modified resin composites (compomer) were used in this study. As a control, one light-cured resin composite was added. Disk-shaped specimens were made following the manufacturers' recommendations and the respective surfaces were finished with a 600-grit abrasive paper. Streptococcus sobrinus B13 was selected as a cariogenic bacterial strain. The amount of bacteria and glucan adhered to these specimens were measured after 3, 8 and 24 h incubations with radiolabeled cariogenic bacteria and sucrose. Results: After 3 and 8 h incubations, the amount of adhered bacteria and glucan was small and there were no significant differences among the restorative materials except in the resin composite. Although after 24 h incubation the amounts of adhered bacteria and glucan, significantly increased on the RMGIs and compomers, these were still significantly less than the resin composite except one compomer. Although at 3 h no good correlation was found between the contact angles and the amount of bacteria and glucans, the correlation coefficients were high at 8 or 24 h. In addition, the coefficients for bacteria were always higher than those for glucan irrespective of the incubation times. Conclusions: After 24 h resin-modified glass ionomer cements and compomers showed significantly smaller amounts of adhered bacteria and glucans compared to resin composite with an exception of glucan adherence on one compomer. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.