Dentin enhances the effectiveness of bioactive glass S53P4 against a strain of Enterococcus faecalis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the current study was to test the impact of dentin powder on the antimicrobial efficacy of bioactive glass S53P4 (BAG).


METHODS
BAG was suspended (preincubated) in saline at 37 degrees C for different time periods with or without human dentin powder, hydroxylapatite, or decalcified dentin. Subsequently, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 cells were added to these suspensions and bacterial recovery measured with and without the use of gentle sonication. Furthermore, survival of bacteria in test and control suspensions was assessed over time. Supernatants of suspensions were analyzed for their element contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The effects of pH, silica, and osmolarity on E faecalis viability were assessed using specifically prepared solutions.


RESULTS
BAG preincubated with dentin powder caused a significant (P < .05) decrease in viability compared to pure BAG suspensions. This was not based on adherence of bacteria to solid particles or agglutination of the cells, because sonication did not increase bacterial yields. Hydroxylapatite and decalcified dentin did not increase BAG killing efficacy. The additive effect of BAG + dentin powder was dose dependent, occurred only with solids in suspension, and increased with suspension time. An augmented dissolution of glass components, especially silicon, was measured in BAG + dentin powder compared to pure BAG suspensions or counterparts containing hydroxylapatite or decalcified dentin. High osmolarity per se did not affect E faecalis viability, whereas high pH and silica levels did.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed phenomenon was related to an increased BAG dissolution triggered by dentin powder, causing elevated local pH and silica levels.
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Cariology, and Periodontology, University of Zürich Center for Dental Medicine, Switzerland. matthias.zehnder@zzmk.unizh.ch
Matthias
M
Zehnder
Tuomas
T
Waltimo
Beatrice
B
Sener
Eva
E
Söderling
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003804:Dentin; D017886:Durapatite / Q000494:pharmacology; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; C403922:bioactive glass S53P4; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D017886:Durapatite