Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of a new glass ionomer cement (GIC) containing fluoro-zinc-silicate fillers on biofilm formation and ion incorporation.
Materials and methods: Streptococcus mutans biofilms were developed on two GIC materials: Caredyne Restore (CD) and Fuji VII (FJ); and hydroxyapatite (HA) for 24 h at 37 °C using a flow cell system. The morphological structure and bacterial viability were analyzed using a confocal laser scanning microscopy. Bacterial adhesion during the initial 2 h was also assessed by viable cell counting. To study the ion incorporation, restored cavities prepared on the root surfaces of human incisors were subjected to the elemental mapping of the zinc and fluoride ions in the GIC-dentin interface using a wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy electron probe microanalyzer.
Results: Morphological observations revealed that biofilm formation in the CD group was remarkably inhibited compared with the HA and FJ groups, exhibiting sparse, thinner biofilm clusters. The microorganisms adhering to the CD group were significantly inhibited, revealing 2.9 ± 0.4 for CD, 4.9 ± 0.2 for FJ, and 5.4 ± 0.4 log colony-forming units (CFU) for HA. The CD zinc ion incorporation depth was 72.2 ± 8.0 μm. The fluoride penetration of CD was three times deeper than that of FJ; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Enhanced by the incorporation of zinc and fluoride ions, the new GIC inhibited biofilm formation by interfering with bacterial adhesion.
Clinical relevance: A novel GIC comprised of fluoro-zinc-silicate fillers may improve clinical outcomes, such as root caries and minimally invasive dentistry.
Keywords: Bacterial adhesion; Fluoro-zinc-silicate fillers; Ion incorporation; Oral biofilm; Root surface caries; Tooth remineralization.