Antibacterial Activity and Physical Properties of Conventional Glass-ionomer Cements Containing Chlorhexidine Diacetate/Cetrimide Mixtures

Statement of the Problem: Hand excavation instruments are not as efficient as that with rotary burs in atraumatic restorative treatment (ART). Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial activity (ABA), microhardness numbers (VHN), and cumulative fluoride releasing (CFR) patterns of conventional GICs (Fuji IX (FX) and Ketac Molar (KM)) containing chlorhexidine diacetate/cetrimide mixtures (2.5%/2.5%) (AB). Materials and Methods: The powders of ABs were added to powders of FX and KM selected as experimental groups (EXPs). FX and KM were assigned as controls (CNTs). ABA against S.mutans (MS) and L.casei (LB) were examined between 1-90 days. VHN were calculated after 24 hours and CFR patterns measured between 1-30 days. Analysis of variance was used for comparison (p < 0.05) Results: Differences were found between EXPs regarding MS levels at days 1, 7 and 60 as well as for LB at all time periods (p < 0.05). VHN decreased in EXPs compared to CNTs (p < 0.05), and no differences were found between EXPs (p > 0.05). CFR patterns tended to decrease in EXPs compared to the CNTs, but no differences were found between EXPs (p > 0.05) CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE These mixtures could be recommended for ART procedures to provide beneficial antibacterial effects without seriously deteriorating the physical properties of selected GICs. (J Esthet Restor Dent 23:46-56, 2011).