Antibacterial effects and physical properties of glass-ionomer cements containing chlorhexidine for the ART approach

Takahashi, Yusuke; Imazato, Satoshi; Kaneshiro, Andrea V.; Ebisu, Shigeyuki; Frencken, Jo E.; Tay, Franklin R.

doi:10.1016/j.dental.2005.08.003

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Volume 22, Issue 7 , Pages 647-652, July 2006

Antibacterial effects and physical properties of glass-ionomer cements containing chlorhexidine for the ART approach

Yusuke Takahashi
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
Satoshi Imazato
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +81 6 6879 2928; fax: +81 6 6879 2929.
Andrea V. Kaneshiro
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
Shigeyuki Ebisu
- Department of Restorative Dentistry and Endodontology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
Jo E. Frencken
- Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Nymegen, Nymegen, The Netherlands
Franklin R. Tay
- Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, 34 Hospital Road, Hong Kong SAR, China

Received 22 June 2005; received in revised form 17 August 2005; accepted 24 August 2005.

Summary

Objectives

Since atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) involves removal of carious lesions with manual instruments, improvement of filling materials to guarantee greater success should be considered. This study aimed to evaluate antibacterial, physical, and bonding properties of glass-ionomer cements (GIC) containing chlorhexidine (CHX), and to determine optimal concentrations for incorporation of agents to obtain antibacterial GICs for use with the ART approach.

Methods

CHX diacetate combined with CHX dihydrochloride was added to control GIC powder to obtain concentration ratios of 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 1/1, or 2/2% w/w. Antibacterial activity of each cement against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei or Actinomyces naeslundii was examined using agar-diffusion methods, and release of CHX was analyzed by HPLC. Compressive strength, bond strength to dentin, and setting time were measured, and compared with those of control samples.

Results

All experimental GICs exhibited inhibition of three bacteria, but sizes of inhibition zones and concentrations of CHX released were not dependent upon CHX content. Incorporation of CHX diacetate at 2% or greater, significantly decreased compressive strength, and bond strength to dentin was adversely affected by addition of CHX diacetate at 2% or more (p<0.05, ANOVA, Fisher's PLSD test), although setting time was extended a little by addition of any concentrations of CHX.

Significance

The present results demonstrate that experimental GICs containing CHX are effective in inhibiting bacteria associated with caries, and incorporation of 1% CHX diacetate is optimal to give appropriate physical and bonding properties.

Keywords: Atraumatic restorative treatment, Glass-ionomer cement, Chlorhexidine, Antibacterial effects, Compressive strength, Bond strength, Setting time