Background
According to existing literature, introducing natural antibacterial agents into glass ionomer cement (GIC) has been associated with potential negative impacts on their strength properties. Hence, this study aims to explore the antibacterial effectiveness of glass ionomer cement enriched with
Acacia nilotica
and subsequently assess its compressive strength characteristics.
Aim
The objective of the study is to assess the antimicrobial effectiveness and compressive strength of glass ionomer cement modified with
Acacia nilotica
.
Materials and methods
The plant extract was incorporated into the conventional glass ionomer cement in three different proportions (powder
GIC
: extract: liquid
GIC
), divided into group I, group II, and group III with ratios of 2:1:1, 3:1:2, and 3:2:1 respectively. Additionally, a control group denoted as group IV was included without any modifications. Subsequently, the specimens were prepared, and their chemical structure was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), followed by testing for antimicrobial activity using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay against
Streptococcus mutans
and
Lactobacillus
. The assessment of compressive strength was conducted following ISO 9917-1:2007 standards, and the recorded values represent the maximum force the specimen could withstand before fracturing.
Results
The antimicrobial effectiveness against
Streptococcus mutans
and
Lactobacillus
exhibited a notable increase in all modified specimens compared to the control group, with a significance level of p<0.05. Additionally, significant improvements in compressive strength were observed in group III (183.49±2.99) when compared to the remaining groups. The higher concentrations of the plant extract resulted in superior outcomes.
Conclusion
Therefore, the incorporation of
Acacia nilotica
into GIC shows promising potential as a restorative material. These investigations can provide valuable insights into the material's performance and durability, contributing to its potential application in dental restorations. Future research is needed to thoroughly investigate the bonding chemistry between
Acacia nilotica
and GIC, as well as to assess the extent of microleakage.