Recent Advances in Quaternary Ammonium Monomers for Dental Applications

Abstract

Resin-based dental materials have been one of the ideal choices among various materials in the treatment of dental caries. However, resin-based dental materials still have some drawbacks, such as the lack of inherent antibacterial activity. Extensive research has been conducted on the use of novel quaternary ammonium monomers (QAMs) to impart antibacterial activity to dental materials. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in quaternary ammonium monomers (QAMs) for dental applications. The current progress and limitations of QAMs are discussed based on the evolution of their structures. The functional diversification and enhancement of QAMs are presented. QAMs have the potential to provide long-term antibacterial activity in dental resin composites, thereby prolonging their service life. However, there is a need to balance antibacterial performance with other material properties and the potential impact on the oral microbiome and general health. Finally, the necessity for further scientific progress in the development of novel quaternary ammonium monomers and the optimization of dental resin formulations is emphasized.

Novel Resin-Based Antibacterial Root Surface Coating Material to Combat Dental Caries

“…The positive charge of the quaternary amine group in DMAHDM can interfere with bacterial cell membrane activities, disturb ion exchange, and disrupt the electrical equilibrium of the cell membrane, finally resulting in bacterial mortality. Additionally, the monomer can successfully copolymerize with dental resins, resulting in a material with a long-lasting antibacterial effect [ 18 , 19 ]. No study has reported the use of this antibacterial monomer in combination with UDMA and TEGDVBE to formulate a coating material.…”