Bacterial penetration of restored cavities using two self-etching bonding systems

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Restorative Dentistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Dental bonding systems are crucial for restoring tooth structure and preventing secondary caries.
• The incorporation of antibacterial monomers into bonding agents aims to inhibit bacterial growth at the tooth-restoration interface.
• Marginal integrity and microleakage are key factors influencing the longevity of dental restorations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of two dental bonding systems, Clearfil Protect Bond (CPB) and Clearfil SE Bond (CSE), in preventing marginal bacterial and dye leakage.
• To assess the influence of antibacterial monomers in bonding systems on microleakage.
• To evaluate the sealing ability of bonding agents in Class V cavities.

Main Methods:

• Class V cavities were prepared in extracted, sterilized teeth.
• Teeth were restored using either CPB or CSE bonding systems with composite resin.
• A bacterial leakage test involved incubation with Streptococcus mutans, followed by staining and microscopic evaluation.
• A dye leakage test involved immersion in basic fuchsin and stereomicroscopic observation.
• Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests.

Main Results:

• Bacterial stain was detected at the cavity wall in both bonding systems.
• Bacterial staining within dentinal tubules was observed in control cavities and a small number of teeth in the CPB and CSE groups.
• Dye leakage at the axial cavity wall was minimal, detected in only three teeth across both bonding systems.

Conclusions:

• Both Clearfil Protect Bond and Clearfil SE Bond provided an acceptable marginal seal against bacterial and dye leakage.
• The bonding systems effectively minimized microleakage in the tested Class V cavities.
• Further research may explore the long-term clinical performance and antibacterial efficacy of these systems.