This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of various restorative dental materials against Streptococcus mutans, a major cariogenic pathogen. The materials tested included a resin composite (Estelite Sigma Quick), conventional glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC), a bioactive resin-based material (Activa BioACTIVE Restorative), and a calcium silicate-based material (Biodentine). Antibacterial activity was assessed using the direct contact test (DCT). Each material was tested against S. mutans at 3, 6, 16, and 24-h intervals. Colony-forming units (CFU) were quantified following serial dilution and culture on BHI agar. Statistical comparisons were conducted using the Kruskal–Wallis test. All materials except Estelite demonstrated significant antibacterial effects. Biodentine exhibited the greatest inhibition (P ≤ 0.001), followed by Fuji IX (P ≤ 0.001), and Fuji II LC (P ≤ 0.01). Activa BioACTIVE showed significant bacterial reduction at 16 and 24 h (P ≤ 0.05). Estelite showed no significant antibacterial effect (P > 0.05). Biodentine displayed sustained and pronounced antibacterial effects, suggesting its suitability for patients at high risk of caries. Fuji IX and Fuji II LC also exhibited antibacterial properties, though to a lesser extent. The findings support the use of bioactive restorative materials in managing bacterial presence and enhancing restoration longevity. The superior antibacterial performance of Biodentine highlights its potential role in preventing secondary caries, particularly in high-risk populations. Clinicians are encouraged to consider bioactive materials as part of comprehensive caries management strategies.

Objectives: This study evaluated the ability of calcium silicate cement (CSC) as a remineralizing agent compared with conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) and resin-modified GIC (RMGIC) to remineralize artificial caries-affected dentin.Methods: Twenty-five class V cavities were prepared on extracted human third molars. Twenty teeth underwent artificial caries induction. The remaining five teeth with sound dentin serve as the positive control. The twenty demineralized teeth were subdivided into four groups (n = 5): carious dentin without restoration (negative control [NC]), carious dentin restored with CSC (Biodentine, Septodont), carious dentin restored with GI (Fuji IX, GC Corporation), and carious dentin restored with RMGIC (Fuji II LC, GC Corporation). Following restoration, the specimens were stored in artificial saliva for 7 days. The elastic modulus was evaluated by a nanoindentation test. The mineral composition was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and the mineral composition at the dentin-material interface.Results: CSC had a higher modulus of elasticity compared to GI, RMGI, and NC groups (p < 0.05). Higher calcium and phosphorus content was observed under CSC restorations, as indicated by SEM-EDX examination, which may lead to better remineralization.Conclusions: Compared to GI and RMGI, CSC showed the best remineralization and mechanical reinforcement in caries-affected dentin, indicating CSC for use in minimally invasive restorative dentistry.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aluminum chloride based hemostatic agents on the surface detail reproduction and dimension stability. Three impression materials were investigated after contaminated with three commercial astringents with different concentration of aluminum chloride. The specimens from three impression materials were fabricated with a stainless-steel mold that followed the American Dental Association specification no.19. The mold was preliminarily contaminated with three hemostatic agents racestyptine, Dryz, and Expasyl™—and 80 specimens from each impression material—polyvinylsiloxane (PVS), polyether, and polyvinylsiloxane ether (PVSE), were fabricated and subjected to each astringent. The surface detail reproduction was examined using a stereomicroscope at 4x magnification, and the dimensional stability was analyzed at 24 hr with a measuring microscope. The surface detail data were statistically analyzed with Fisher’s test at a significance level of 0.05. The dimensional stability data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test at a significance level of 0.05. Aluminum chloride hemostatic agents can affect the surface detail reproduction of impression materials differently ( ). Thus, the first null hypothesis was rejected. PVS showed the highest percentage of satisfactory surface detail regardless of the hemostatic agent used in this study. PVSE showed a reduced percentage of satisfactory surface detail when the concentration of aluminum chloride was high. The three hemostatic agents affected the dimensional stability of each material differently ( ). Therefore, the second null hypothesis was also rejected.