Inability to form a biofilm of Streptococcus mutans on silver fluoride- and potassium iodide-treated demineralized dentin.
OBJECTIVE
The presence of a biofilm is necessary for both initiation and progression of dental caries. Silver-based preparations incorporated into, or applied onto, various materials designed for medical use have been shown to be effective in inhibiting biofilm formation. The purpose of this in vitro study was to measure whether a topical application of diamine silver fluoride (AgF) followed by potassium iodide (KI) on partially demineralized dentin affected the formation of a Streptococcus mutans biofilm.


METHODS
Forty partially demineralized dentin disks were divided into 4 groups as follows: 10 disks as a control, 10 disks treated with AgF followed by KI, 10 disks treated with KI, and 10 disks treated with AgF. The outer surfaces of the disks were examined with a scanning electron microscope. Cross sections of the disks were subjected to electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) to determine the levels of calcium, phosphorous, silver, and fluoride in the dentin.


RESULTS
An S mutans biofilm covered the entire exposed surfaces of all control and KI-treated disks. No discernible bacterial biofilm was detected on disks treated with AgF or AgF/KI. Detectable amounts of silver and fluoride were found up to 450 microm in the AgF and AgF/KI sections.


CONCLUSIONS
Demineralized dentin disks treated with AgF and AgF/KI prevented the formation of an S mutans biofilm and were significantly more resistant to further demineralization than the control and KI-treated disks over the experimental period. The presence of silver and fluoride in the outer layers of the disks treated with AgF and AgF/KI was the likely cause of the prevention of biofilm formation. Additional studies are required before any clinical recommendations can be made.
Dental School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. geoffbds@dentalk.com.au
Geoffry M
GM
Knight
John M
JM
McIntyre
Graham G
GG
Craig
Mulyani
Peter S
PS
Zilm
Neville J
NJ
Gully
D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008964:Molar, Third; D011193:Potassium Iodide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018030:Silver Compounds; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D017001:Tooth Demineralization
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005460:Fluorides, Topical; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D018030:Silver Compounds; D011193:Potassium Iodide; C024633:silver diamine fluoride