Comparison of Antibacterial Activity of Self-adhesive Flowable Composite, Microhybrid Flowable Composite and Self-curing Glass Ionomer Against Streptococcus Mutans: An In Vitro Study

Antibacterial properties of restorative materials are of great advantage as they control the progression of tooth decay. The use of self-adhesive composite materials has some benefits such as easier application and reduced treatment time. Because the antibacterial properties of restorative materials can play an important role in preventing secondary decay, especially in cervical restorations, this study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of self-adhesive flowable composite against Streptococcus mutans.

An in vitro study was performed using 9 discs for each composite and glass ionomer group. The discs were prepared in three groups: micro-hybrid flowable composite samples, self-adhesive flowable composite samples, and self-curing glass ionomer samples. Direct contact test was used to compare the antibacterial properties of the discs. Data collection was done by direct contact test and visual counting of grown bacterial colonies. Data were recorded in a checklist developed according to the objectives of the study and analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Independent T-test in SPSS V22.

Findings showed that the antibacterial effect of glass ionomer was greater than that of flowable micro-hybrid composite and self-adhesive flowable composite. Also, a significant difference was observed between the antimicrobial activity of flowable microhybrid composite and self-adhesive flowable composite against Streptococcus mutans (P<0.05).

Glass ionomer and self-adhesive composite have a higher antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans, so they can be used as alternatives to treat tooth decay