Biodegradation of resin-dentin interfaces increases bacterial microleakage

Bis-GMA-containing resin composites and adhesives undergo biodegradation by human-saliva-derived esterases, yielding Bis-hydroxy-propoxy-phenyl-propane (Bis-HPPP). The hypothesis of this study is that the exposure of dental restorations to saliva-like esterase activities accelerates marginal bacterial microleakage. Resin composites (Scotchbond, Z250, 3M) bonded to human dentin were incubated in either buffer or dual-esterase media (pseudocholinesterase/cholesterol-esterase; PCE+CE), with activity levels simulating those of human saliva, for up to 90 days. Incubation solutions were analyzed for Bis-HPPP by high-performance liquid chromatography. Post-incubation, specimens were suspended in a chemostat-based biofilm fermentor cultivating Streptococcus mutans NG8, a primary species associated with dental caries, for 7 days. Bacterial microleakage was assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Bis-HPPP production and depth and spatial volume of bacterial cell penetration within the interface increased with incubation time and were higher for 30- and 90-day PCE+CE vs. buffer-incubated groups, suggesting that biodegradation can contribute to the formation of recurrent decay.