Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and diametrical tensile strength of an interim cement modified with zinc oxide nanoparticles and terpenes: An in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Interim restorations are occasionally left in the mouth for extended periods and are susceptible to bacterial infiltration. Thus, dental interim cements with antibacterial properties are required.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine in vitro antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and to compare the diametrical tensile strength (DTSs) of dental interim cement modified with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) with that of cement modified with terpenes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antibacterial properties of ZnO-NPs, terpenes, and dental interim cement modified with ZnO-NPs and cement modified with terpenes against S mutans were tested according to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and direct contact inhibition (DCI). Tensile strength levels were evaluated using DTS. Results were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA, and Tamhane tests (α=.05).

RESULTS: The MICs of ZnO-NPs and terpenes against S mutans were 61.94 μg/g and 0.25% v/v, respectively. The DCI assay under the cylinders of cement (area of contact with the agar surface) revealed significant bacterial growth inhibition on Temp-Bond NE specimens with ZnO-NPs at MIC of 495.2 μg/g (8× MIC) and with terpenes at MIC 0.999% v/v (4× MIC) (P<.05). The Temp-Bond NE cement cylinder (control group) showed the lowest DTS (1.05 ±0.27 MPa) of all other test groups. In the Zn-NPs group, the greatest increase occurred in the NP8 (8× MIC; 495.2 μg/g) group with a value of 1.50 ±0.23 MPa, a significant increase in DTS compared with the control and terpene groups (P<.05). In the terpene group, the highest increase corresponded to group T2 (2× MIC; 0.4995% v/v) with a value of 1.29 ±0.18 MPa.

CONCLUSIONS: The addition of terpenes and ZnO-NPs to interim cement showed antibacterial activity when in contact with S. mutans ATCC 25175. Both terpenes and ZnO-NPs antimicrobial agents increased diametral tensile strength.