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.