A PQAS-containing glass-ionomer cement for improved antibacterial function

Abstract

The novel non-leachable poly (quaternary ammonium salt) (PQAS)-containing antibacterial glass- ionomer cement has been developed. Compressive strength (CS) and S. mutans viability were used as tools for strength and antibacterial activity evaluations, respectively. All the specimens were conditioned in distilled water at 37?C prior to testing. Commercial glass-ionomer cement Fuji II LC was used as control. With PQAS addition, the studied cements showed a reduction in CS with 25-95% for Fuji II LC and 13-78% for the experimental cement and a reduction in S. mutans viability with 40-79% for Fuji II LC and 40-91% for the experimental cement. The experimental cement showed less CS reduction and higher antibacterial activity as compared to Fuji II LC. The long-term aging study indicates that the cements are permanently antibacterial with no PQAS leaching. It appears that the experimental cement is a clinically attractive dental restorative that can be potentially used for long- lasting restorations due to its high mechanical strength and permanent antibacterial function.