Combination of Cetylpyridinium Chloride and Chlorhexidine Acetate: A Promising Candidate for Rapid Killing of Gram-Positive/Gram-Negative Bacteria and Fungi

Organic antibacterial modifications of high-viscosity glass ionomer cement for atraumatic restorative treatment: A review

High viscosity glass ionomer cement (HVGIC) has been employed as a restorative material for Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART). As residual caries persist after caries removal in ART, the antibacterial activity of HVGIC gains importance. Organic and inorganic substances with antibacterial properties have been incorporated into HVGIC over the years, and their effects on the antibacterial and physical properties have been studied. The objective of this paper is to review the various alterations made to HVGIC using organic compounds, their effect on the antibacterial activity, and the physical properties of the cement. Various in vitro investigations have been conducted by adding antiseptics, antibiotics, and naturally occurring antibacterial substances. Most of these compounds render superior antibacterial properties to HVGIC, but higher concentrations affect physical properties in a dose-dependent manner. However, some naturally occurring antibacterial substances, such as chitosan, improve the physical properties of HVGIC, as they enhance cross-linking and polysalt bridging. There is potential for clinical benefits to be gained from the addition of organic antibacterial compounds to HVGIC. In-depth research is required to determine the optimum concentration at which the antibacterial effect is maximum without affecting the physical properties of the cement.

Are Mouthwashes Really Effective against Candida spp.?

Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic infection caused by fungi of the genus Candida. Nystatin, fluconazole, and miconazole are the most widely used antifungal drugs in dentistry, but in recent years, they have been shown to be less effective due to the increase in the resistance to antifungal drugs. The growing challenge of antifungal resistance emphasizes the importance of exploring not only alternative strategies in the fight against Candida spp. infections but also supportive treatment for pharmacological treatment for oral candidiasis. This review aims to evaluate and compare the in vitro reports on antifungal efficacy against Candida spp. exhibited by mouthwashes distributed on the European market. The research question was elaborated through the PEO framework recommended by PRISMA 2020. A bibliographic search strategy was developed for the scientific online databases Pubmed and ScienceDirect. According to the eligibility criteria, 21 papers were included in this study over a 27-year period. Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine digluconate, cetylpyridinium chloride, hexetidine, and fluorine compounds among others, and natural antimicrobials, such as menthol, thymol, eucalyptol, and Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts, have demonstrated antifungal effectiveness. Nonetheless, the methodological variance introduces ambiguity concerning the comparative efficacy of distinct molecules or mouthwash formulations and complicates the evaluation and the comparison of results between studies. Some mouthwashes commercially available in Europe have the potential to be used in anti-Candida therapy and prevention since they have shown antifungal effect.