title: Antimicrobial properties of conventional restorative filling materials and advances in antimicrobial properties of composite resins and glass ionomer cements-A literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been reported that complete caries removal from cavities during restoration of teeth is difficult. Furthermore with the tissue saving approach it is expected that more of the saved affected tissue will possibly harbor more residual bacteria. Antimicrobial restorative filling materials would be ideal to prevent the spread of caries after completion of tooth restoration, thus preventing recurrent decay and eventually restoration failure. This paper reviews the literature on the antimicrobial properties of dental restorative filling materials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pubmed searches on the antibacterial properties of restorative materials were carried out. Keywords were chosen to assess antibacterial properties of conventional filling materials. Methods of introducing antimicrobial agents in restorative materials were also reviewed together with the methodology used to assess antimicrobial activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  174 articles from 1983 till 2014 were included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adhesive materials have decreased antimicrobial activity when compared to amalgams and zinc oxides. Several techniques have been employed in order to increase the antimicrobial activity of restorative materials. Although antimicrobial activity of restorative materials is important, the introduction of antimicrobial agents/techniques should not be at the expense of other material properties. Environmental changes within a material may affect the bacterial response to the antimicrobial. Bacterial adhesion to the restorative materials should be assessed. Long term assessment of antimicrobial activity is important and is clinically relevant. The use of antimicrobial dental materials is important unless such characteristics are gained to the detriment of other material properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2090 Msida, Malta.
authors.forename: Cher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Farrugia
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2090 Msida, Malta. Electronic address: josette.camilleri@um.edu.mt.
authors.forename: Josette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camilleri
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000628:therapy*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D005899:Glass Ionomer Cements
keywords: Antibacterial; Antimicrobial; Bonding agent; Composite; Glass ionomer cement; Restorative materials