Rapidly-Dissolving Silver-Containing Bioactive Glasses for Cariostatic Applications.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Materials
• Materials Chemistry

Background:

• Dental caries and enamel erosion are significant oral health concerns.
• Bioactive glasses (BGs) show potential for remineralization and antibacterial properties.
• Silver oxide (Ag₂O) incorporation into BGs may enhance therapeutic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel bioactive glasses containing silver oxide.
• To evaluate the remineralization potential of these glasses when incorporated into a dentifrice.
• To assess the antibacterial efficacy of the silver-containing bioactive glasses against oral bacteria.

Main Methods:

• Three bioactive glasses (Si-Control, Si-02, Si-05 with 0.2 and 0.5 mol% Ag₂O) were synthesized via melt quench route.
• Glasses were characterized and their ion release in Tris buffer was quantified.
• Toothpaste formulations containing the glasses were used to brush demineralized lamb molars, and microhardness was measured.
• Antibacterial activity was tested against four oral bacterial strains using agar diffusion assays.

Main Results:

• All glasses released ions, with silver-containing glasses showing potential for remineralization (surface hardness loss of 34-37% after 24h).
• Si-05 exhibited the largest inhibition zone (2.8 mm) against oral bacteria after 12 hours.
• Si-Control (without silver) showed no antibacterial effect, confirming silver oxide's role.

Conclusions:

• Silver-containing bioactive glasses are effective in promoting tooth remineralization.
• The synthesized glasses demonstrate significant antibacterial properties against oral bacteria.
• These novel materials hold promise for developing advanced anti-caries dentifrices.