Controlling caries clinically would become much easier if composites had anti-bacterial properties. A recent study tested the antibacterial properties of a novel bulk-fill flowable composite (Infinx™, Nobio™ Ltd.) incorporating quaternary ammonium silica (QASi) filler particles.
What were the methods used in the experiment?
E. faecalis or entire saliva was used as the inoculum for the in-vitro direct contact test (DCT) used to evaluate InfinixTM. As a control, a composite with a comparable formula but no QASi was used. Additionally, in a split-mouth design experiment, composite test materials were polymerized on the unharmed buccal enamel surfaces of the first premolars in three participants. As a check, the conventional composite was used (Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable, 3M).
Six months later, the bacterial viability on the composite surfaces was evaluated ex vivo microscopically using a fluorescent dead/live dye. Using a fluorescent microscope (Nikon Eclipse 80i), pictures of each bacterial sample were captured. Additional live/total cell analysis was then carried out using ImageJ software.
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