Characterization and inhibitory effect of antibacterial dental resin composites incorporating silver-supported materials.

Resin composites with antibacterial activity may be useful for preventing the secondary caries frequently seen around restorations. The purposes of this study were to investigate antibacterial light-activated dental resin composites incorporating each of two silver-supported antibacterial materials and evaluate their long-lasting inhibitory effect against Streptococcus mutans. Two types of silver-supported antibacterial materials, Novaron (N) and Amenitop (AM) were used. These antibacterial materials were incorporated into TEGDMA-UDMA-based light-activated resin composites, and the antibacterial activities and mechanical properties of these composites, and also the release of silver ions, were examined. Two silver-supported antibacterial materials inhibited the growth of the major oral pathogen S. mutans. The minimum inhibitory concentration in suspensions of N and AM against S. mutans was 40 microg/mL and 30 microg/mL, respectively. Composites incorporating 5 wt % (N-5) or more of Novaron and 7 wt % (AM-7) or more of Amenitop inhibited the growth of S. mutans after immersion in water for 6 months. There was no or extremely little release of silver ions from the N-5 and AM-7 composites after 1 day or after 6 months of immersion in water. No significant difference in either compressive or flexural strength was observed between the control and the N-5 composites after 1 day or after 6 months of storage in water. However, for the AM-5 composite, there was a significant difference in both strength parameters between the two immersion periods. These results indicate that a light-activated dental resin composite incorporating silver-supported antibacterial material such as Novaron may be useful clinically because of its long-lasting inhibitory effect against S. mutans and its favorable mechanical properties. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.