A novel antibacterial dental glass-ionomer cement

This study reports the synthesis and evaluation of a novel non-leachable poly(quaternary ammonium salt) (PQAS)-containing antibacterial glass-ionomer cement. Fuji II LC cement was used for comparison. Compressive strength (CS) and Streptococcus mutans viability were used to evaluate strength and antibacterial activity, respectively. All specimens were conditioned in distilled water at 37 degrees C before testing. After the addition of 1-30% PQAS, both cements showed a reduction in CS, of 25-95% for Fuji II LC and 13-78% for the experimental cement, and a reduction in S. mutans viability, of 40-79% for Fuji II LC and 40-91% for the experimental cement. The experimental cement showed less CS reduction and higher antibacterial activity compared with Fuji II LC. The result also indicates that the cements are permanently antibacterial, with no leaching of PQAS. It appears that the experimental cement is a clinically attractive dental restorative that can be potentially used for longlasting restorations as a result of its high mechanical strength and permanent antibacterial function.