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Antimicrobial activities of dental impression materials
D A Flanagan1, C J Palenik, J C Setcos
1Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, USA.
Dental Materials : Official Publication of the Academy of Dental Materials
|September 14, 1999
Summary
Disinfectant-containing alginate impression materials effectively kill microorganisms. Alginates with quaternary ammonium compounds eliminated all tested microbes, while chlorhexidine alginates showed significant antimicrobial activity.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Materials
Background:
- Alginate impression materials are widely used in dentistry.
- Microbial contamination of impression materials is a concern.
- The inherent antimicrobial properties of alginates are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of commercial alginate impression materials.
- To compare the killing effects of alginates with and without added disinfectants.
Main Methods:
- Five commercial alginate materials were tested: two unsupplemented, one with chlorhexidine, and two with quaternary ammonium compounds.
- Standardized microbial challenges using gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, and yeast were employed.
- Antimicrobial activity was assessed by homogenizing set alginate specimens at different time points and quantifying microbial reduction via plate counts.
Main Results:
- Alginate materials without added disinfectants demonstrated no antimicrobial effect.
- Alginates containing quaternary ammonium compounds exhibited complete killing of all five tested microorganisms.
- The chlorhexidine-containing alginate eradicated gram-negative bacilli and achieved 95-99% reduction of gram-positive cocci and yeast.
Conclusions:
- Disinfectant-enhanced alginate impression materials can significantly reduce microbial contamination.
- Quaternary ammonium compound-containing alginates offer broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.
- These findings suggest that disinfectant-containing alginates are a viable option for infection control in dental impressions.