Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity and Strength of A Novel Dental Resin Composite

Aims: The objective of this study was to study the antibacterial activity and the compressive strength of a modified dental resin composite, with a new furan one derivative.
Materials and Methods: A novel antibacterial derivative was synthesized and used to formulate a resin composite, with addition of 5 to 70 wt%. Compressive strength (CS) and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) viability were used to evaluate the mechanical strength and antibacterial activity of the modified composites.
Results: The modified resin composites showed a significant antibacterial activity without substantially decreasing the mechanical strengths. With 5 to 30% addition of the antibacterial derivative, the composite kept its original CS unchanged but showed a significant antibacterial activity with up to 68% reduction in the S. mutans viability. The modified composite also showed a similar antibacterial function in both minimum inhibitory concentration and cell viability percentage to lactobacillus. The bromine-containing derivative-modified composite was lower in CS than its chlorine counterpart but showed a similar antibacterial function. Furthermore, the antibacterial function of the modified composite was not affected by human saliva. The aging study indicates that the composite may have a long-lasting antibacterial function.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it appears that this experimental antibacterial resin composite may potentially be developed into a clinically attractive dental restorative because it has a strength that is similar to the unaltered composite in addition to the antibacterial function.