Antimicrobial activity and toxicity of glass ionomer cement containing an essential oil

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.

Toxicity of bioceramic and resinous endodontic sealers using an alternative animal model: Artemia salina

Aims:

The present study assessed the toxicity of a novel calcium silicate-based root canal sealer (Bio-C Sealer) in comparison to Endosequence BC Sealer and AH Plus through a lethality assay involving brine shrimp (Artemia salina).

Methods:

Brine shrimp cysts were incubated for 24 h for the hatching of the larvae, which were then exposed to different concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 μg/mL) of the test endodontic sealers for 24 h, followed by the determination of the survival rate.

Statistical Analysis Used:

One-way repeated-measures ANOVA and the Newman–Keuls post hoc test were used to compare the different materials as well as different concentrations of the same material. Dunnett's test was used to compare the different concentrations and different sealers to the control. The lethal concentration of each endodontic sealer necessary to kill 50% of the brine shrimp larvae (LC50) was also determined.

Results:

The toxicity of Bio-C (10, 20, 40, 80, and 100 μg/mL) and Endosequence BC Sealer (20, 80, and 100 μg/mL) was lower than that of AH Plus. No significant difference was found between Bio-C and Endosequence BC Sealer or among the different intragroup concentrations of these sealers. In the AH Plus group, concentrations ≥5.0 μg/mL exhibited greater toxicity compared to the concentration of 2.5 μg/mL and the control. AH Plus had the lowest LC50 (59.95 μg/mL), whereas Bio-C and Endosequence BC Sealer had LC50 values >200 μg/mL.

Conclusions:

Bio-C Sealer proved to be less toxic than AH Plus and exhibited similar toxicity to that of Endosequence BC Sealer.