Characterization and Anti-Caries Effect of an Experimental Adhesive Containing Natural Antimicrobial Agents.

PURPOSE: To characterize experimental adhesives containing natural antimicrobial agents (proanthocyanidins, apigenin, tt-farnesol) in the primer and to evaluate their anti-caries effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Natural agents were incorporated in the primer of an experimental adhesive: 4.5% proanthocyanidins (PA), 1 mM apigenin (API), 1 mM apigenin + 5 mM tt-farnesol (API + FAR), and primer without antimicrobial agent (control). Microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin and nanoleakage were measured immediately (n = 7) and after 1 year of storage (n = 7). Water sorption (WS), solubility (SO), and degree of conversion (DC%) of the adhesives were measured. The hardness loss of enamel (n = 6) and dentin (n = 6) at the restorative margin was evaluated after biofilm formation. RESULTS: DC%, nanoleakage, and immediate µTBS were similar for all groups. After 1 year, API + FAR showed higher nanoleakage and lower µTBS than the other groups, which were similar. WS and SO of API + FAR were lower than in the other groups. PA, API, and API + FAR presented less hardness loss than did the control group. At enamel, PA and API presented less hardness loss than the control and API + FAR groups at distances 50 µm and 100 µm; the hardness loss of enamel was similar for all groups 150 µm from the margin. CONCLUSION: The addition of proanthocyanidins and apigenin to the adhesives decreased the hardness loss of dentin and enamel submitted to biofilm formation, without jeopardizing the physical properties of the adhesives. The combination of apigenin + tt-farnesol decreased the hardness loss of dentin but not of enamel, and decreased the µTBS after 1 year of storage.

Characterization and Antibacterial Effect of an Experimental Adhesive Containing Different Concentrations of Proanthocyanidin.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC%), water sorption (Sp), solubility (Sl), dentin bond strength (µTBS) (immediate and after 12 months of storage), and the antibacterial effect of an experimental adhesive containing different concentrations (%) of proanthocyanidin (PA): 0, 1%, 2%, 4.5%, and 6% (PA0, PA1%, PA2%, PA4.5% and PA6%, respectively). MATERIALS AND METHODS: DC% was measured by FT-IR and the Sp and Sl were determined based on the ISO 4049 specification. For µTBS, resin composite buildups were constructed incrementally and specimens (n = 8) were sectioned to obtain sticks (1 mm2). The µTBS was evaluated after 24 h and 12 months of water storage at 37°C. The failure mode was analyzed. The antibacterial effects were evaluated by analyzing the bacterial growth (S. mutans) (n = 5) and antibiofilm activity (n = 5) of the adhesives by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The incorporation of PA did not affect the Sp, Sl, or DC%. Immediate µTBS was similar for all groups. After 12 months, PA4.5% presented significantly higher µTBS than PA0, while the other groups did not differ from PA0 and PA4.5%. Groups PA0 and PA1% underwent significant reduction in µTBS. In the experimental groups PA2%, PA4.5% and PA6%, µTBS was maintained after storage. All groups showed antibacterial activity. CONCLUSION: Incorporation of 2%, 4.5%, and 6% PA maintained the dentin µTBS after 12-month storage, without affecting the Sp, Sl, or DC% of experimental adhesives. PA4.5% presented higher µTBS values than PA0 after 12 months. The adhesive presented antibacterial effect irrespective of PA concentration.