Germicide effect of several glass ionomer cements

One the most significant characteristics of glass ionomer cements is their ability to release fluoride compounds. This study was carried out to try establish relationships between this property and the possible effect on the growth of microorganisms that are found in carious lesions, Agar BHI medium containing Petri dishes were flooded with strains of Actinomyces naeslundii, Actinomyces israelii and Actinomyces odontolyticus. Cavities were then prepared in the agar and filled with mixtures of several glass ionomer cements. Some of them were polymerizable resin containing products. A zinc phosphate and a zinc oxide-eugenol cement were used as controls. After a seven day incubation at 37 degrees C under anaerobic conditions the inhibition halos around the specimens were measured in a way similar to that used for antibiograms. The statistical analysis of the results showed no significant differences among Actinomyces strains but a significant difference one among cements. Even when no definitive conclusions could be drawn it is worth taking into consideration the effect of glass ionomer cements on microorganisms such as the Actinomyces and continuing studies to establish more clearly what is required from the material to produce a clinically significant outcome.