A novel furanone-modified antibacterial dental glass ionomer cement

A novel furanone derivative and a polyacid constructed from it were synthesized, characterized and formulated into experimental high strength cements. The compressive strength (CS) and Streptococcus mutans viability were used to evaluate the mechanical strength and antibacterial activity of the cements. The effect of human saliva and aging were investigated. The antibacterial activity against Lactobacillus sp. and cytotoxicity to human pulp cells were also evaluated. The results show that all the formulated furanone-containing cements showed antibacterial activity, with an initial reduction in CS. The effect of the furanone derivative loading was significant. Increasing loading enhanced the antibacterial activity but reduced the initial CS of the formed cements. The derivative showed antibacterial activity against both S. mutans and Lactobacillus sp. Human saliva did not affect the antibacterial activity of the cement. The cytotoxicity study with human dental pulp cells shows that the furanone-modified cement was biocompatible. A 30 day aging study indicated that the cements may have long-lasting antibacterial activity. Within the limitations of this study it appears that the experimental cement could be a clinically attractive dental restorative due to its high mechanical strength and antibacterial function.