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Objectives Eugenol has been used in dentistry due to its ability to inhibit the growth of a range of microorganisms, including facultative anaerobes commonly isolated from infected root canals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the experimental composites containing eugenyl methacrylate monomer (EgMA), a polymeric derivative of eugenol, against a range of oral bacteria, commonly associated with failure of coronal and endodontic restorations. In vitro composite behavior and wettability were also studied in conjunction with their antibacterial activity. Methods EgMA monomer (5 and 10% by weight) was added into BisGMA/TEGDMA resin based formulations with filler mixtures of hydroxyapatite (HA) and zirconium oxide ZrO2. The antibacterial activity of the experimental composites against Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans and Propionibacterium acnes were evaluated by direct contact test and compared with composite formulation without inclusion of EgMA. To clarify the antibacterial mode of action, agar diffusion test (ADT) was also performed. Water sorption, solubility, diffusion coefficient, contact angle and surface free energy as complementary clinically relevant properties were determined. Results Water sorption and wettability studies showed reduction of water uptake and surface free energy values with increasing content of EgMA monomer, resulting in significant increase in the hydrophobicity of the composites. No inhibition zones were detected in any of the composites tested against the three bacteria employed as expected, due to the absence of any leachable antibacterial agent. The covalently anchored EgMA monomer with the composite surface exhibited an effective bacteriostatic activity by reducing the number of CFUs of the three species of bacteria tested with no significant dependence on the concentration of EgMA at 5 and 10% by weight. The surface antibacterial activity R of the experimental composites were different against the three tested species with values in the range 2.7–6.1 following the order E. faecalis < S. mutans < P. acnes. Significance The incorporation of EgMA monomer within polymerizable formulations provides a novel approach to yield intrinsically antibacterial resin composites for different dental applications.

Context: Despite the advances in orthodontic material and treatment mechanics, the placement of fixed appliances increases the risk of enamel demineralization. The development of fluoride release adhesives has attracted considerable interests because the combined use of antimicrobials and fluoride enhances the cariostatic effect. Aim: To compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of fluoride release adhesives with established orthodontic adhesives and assess failure mode using adhesive remnant index (ARI). Settings and Design: The present study included 80 maxillary premolars which were randomly divided into four groups (n = 20) and were further subdivided into two subgroups A - Pumice prophylaxis (PP) and subgroup B - No PP (n = 10). Materials and Methods: Stainless steel brackets were bonded with Transbond XT, Transbond plus (TP) color change adhesive, Light Bond, and Clearfil protect bond. After debonding, the ARI was used to assess the mode of bracket failure. Statistical Analysis: The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance, Post-hoc Tukey Honest significant differences test, and Chi-square test. Results: The mean SBS of Group 4 was comparably higher regardless of PP. Brackets bonded with TP showed a comparable SBS to conventional Transbond XT. The ARI scores were predominately 2. Conclusions: Fluoride releasing adhesives combined with antibacterial monomer can play a vital role in reducing white spot lesions by enhancing the cariostatic effect especially in noncompliant\medically compromised patients.

Background: Considering the possibility of remaining bacteria in the cavity or invading via microgaps, the use of antibacterial agents in adhesive restoration may be beneficial. This study evaluated the effect of chlorhexidine on immediate and long-term shear bond strength of adhesives with and without antibacterial agent to dentin. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, the occlusal surfaces of 80 intact human premolars were removed to expose the flat midcoronal dentin. The teeth were assigned to four groups. Two adhesive systems, Clearfil SE Bond (SE) and Clearfil Protect Bond (PB) were used according to manufacturer′s instructions as the control groups. In the experimental groups, 2% chlorhexidine was applied prior to acidic primer of two adhesives. Then, resin composite was applied. Half of the specimens in each group were submitted to shear bond test after 24 h without thermocycling, and the other half were submitted to water storage for 6 months and thermocycling before testing. The data was analyzed using three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test (α = 0.05). Results: Chlorhexidine application significantly decreased the initial bond strength (BS) of the two self-etch adhesives to dentin (P < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in BS of SE and PB after aging compared to initial bonding (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between BS of the control and chlorhexidine-treated groups for the tested adhesives after aging. PB showed a lower BS than SE in two time periods (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Chlorhexidine was capable of diminishing the loss of BS of these adhesives over time. However, considering the negative effect of chlorhexidine on the initial BS, the benefits of chlorhexidine associated with these adhesives cannot possibly be used.