title: Effect of polymer degree of conversion on Streptococcus mutans biofilms.
abstract: Biofilm-material interactions are increasingly recognized as critical to success of some materials/devices and failure of others. We use a model system of dental monomers, salivary pellicles, and oral biofilms to demonstrate for the first time that degree of conversion of cross-linked dimethacrylate polymers alters biofilm metabolic activity. This response is due primarily to leachable release (not surface chemistry) and is complex, with no changes in some biofilm measurements (i.e., biomass), and time- and leachable-dependent responses in others (i.e., metabolic activity). These results highlight the need for considering biofilm-material interactions when designing/evaluating new materials.
authors.affiliation: Polymers Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8543, USA.
authors.forename: Alison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kraigsley
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Katrice A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lippa
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Howarter
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin-Gibson
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000737:chemistry; D058105:Polymerization; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000254:growth & development*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles
chemical_list: D008689:Methacrylates; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D013844:Thiazoles; C022616:thiazolyl blue