Influence of different resin-based restorative materials on mutans streptococci adhesion. An in vitro study.

PURPOSE

To investigate the surface roughness and the initial adhesion of Streptococcus mutans on seven dental resin-based restorative materials.

METHODS

Five cylinder specimens, with 5 mm diameter and 3 mm height, of three resin composites (Z100, Prodigy and Tetric), three polyacid modified composite resins (Compoglass, Compoglass F and Dyract AP) and a resin modified glass ionomer (Vitremer) were made. Materials were handled following manufacturer's instructions. The materials were polished up to 1200 grit SiC abrasive paper under running water in an automatic polisher. Surface roughness measurements were carried out by a profilometer. Five diametrical measurements were made and Ra was calculated in microm. The bacterial initial cell adhesion assay was performed with S. mutans ATCC 25175. The initial adhesion of Streptococcus mutans on the materials tested was observed by SEM. ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons were used.

RESULTS

The statistical analyses showed no significant differences in initial cell adhesion among tested materials, even when the resin-modified glass inonomer showed a rougher surface than the rest of the materials.