Effects of various resin composite (co)monomers and extracts on two caries-associated micro-organisms in vitro

• Published in: Journal of dental research Vol. 77; no. 1; p. 60
• Main Authors: Hansel, C, Leyhausen, G, Mai, U E, Geurtsen, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-1998
• Subjects: Biomass; Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate - pharmacology; Colony Count, Microbial; Composite Resins - pharmacology; Cross-Linking Reagents - pharmacology; Dental Caries - microbiology; Dental Materials - pharmacology; Humans; Lactobacillus acidophilus - drug effects; Lactobacillus acidophilus - growth & development; Methacrylates - pharmacology; Polyethylene Glycols - pharmacology; Polymethacrylic Acids - pharmacology; Polyurethanes - pharmacology; Reproducibility of Results; Resin Cements - pharmacology; Silicates - pharmacology; Streptococcus sobrinus - drug effects; Streptococcus sobrinus - growth & development
• ISSN: 0022-0345
• DOI: 10.1177/00220345980770010601

Previous studies have shown that extracts of various filling materials, e.g., resin composites, may influence the growth of cariogenic micro-organisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of important resin composite (co)monomers (Bis-GMA, UDMA, TEGDMA, EGDMA) and extracts of two commercial dental composites with similar composition (composite A, Arabesk; composite S, Superlux) on the growth of the two cariogenic bacterial pathogens Streptococcus sobrinus and Lactobacillus acidophilus. It was found that neither the monomers Bis-GMA and UDMA, nor the comonomer EGDMA, nor the extract of composite A influenced the growth of S. sobrinus in the log phase. The comonomer TEGDMA and the extract of composite S were found to stimulate growth in the log phase, but this stimulation was not statistically significant. However, EGDMA, TEGDMA, and the extract of composite S did stimulate the total growth of S. sobrinus. In the assays with L. acidophilus, Bis-GMA, UDMA, and the extract of composite A inhibited the growth in the log phase, whereas TEGDMA stimulated it. Furthermore, EGDMA, TEGDMA, and the extract of composite S stimulated the biomass production of L. acidophilus. We conclude from our results that a release of EGDMA and TEGDMA from resin composites should be avoided due to their growth-stimulating effects on the caries-associated micro-organisms S. sobrinus and L. acidophilus.