The Antimicrobial Effect of Silver Ion Impregnation into Endodontic Sealer against Streptococcus mutans

Abstract

Pulpal and periradicular diseases are primarily caused by bacterial invasion of the root canal system as a result of caries progression. The presence of residual bacteria at the time of root canal completion (obturation) is associated with significantly higher rate of treatment failure. Re-infection of obturated root canals can be potentially prevented by enhancing the antibacterial activities of root canal obturation materials. We evaluated, in an in vitro model, the antimicrobial efficacy of silver ions added to a common endodontic sealer. For that purpose we performed growth inhibition studies and bacterial viability tests. We measured the zone of inhibition, optical density and performed confocal laser scanning microscopy. Our results show that the silver ions enhance the antimicrobial activity of the root canal sealer against Streptococcus mutans. This study approach may hold promise for studying other biologically based therapies and therefore increasing the success rate of routine orthograde root canal treatment.

How Adding Chlorhexidine or Metallic Nanoparticles Affects the Antimicrobial Performance of Calcium Hydroxide Paste as an Intracanal Medication: An In Vitro Study

“…Silver was tested at concentrations ranging from 12.5 mg/L to 100 mg/L ( Figure 1 a–c,e–g), while CHX was tested using four different concentrations ranging from 0.5% (5 × 10 3 mg/L) to 4% (40 × 10 3 mg/L) ( Figure 1 d,h). Similar concentrations have been reported in the literature and correspond to 0.5×, 1×, and 2× MIC for silver and 0.25×, 0.5×, 1×, and 2× the most common concentration used in studies for CHX (2%) [ 7 , 24 , 30 , 31 , 47 , 48 ]. The time-kill kinetics profile of the drug-free CH paste (dotted line) indicated that there was a reduction in viable C. albicans cells but not of E. faecalis cells.…”

Silver Nanoparticles in Dental Biomaterials

“…Since elimination of bacteria in root canals is the key to treatment success [ 95 ], endodontic materials should ideally provide some antimicrobial activity [ 96 , 97 ], in order to improve the prognosis of endodontically treated teeth [ 98 ]. Various materials have been used as root canal fillings, among which gutta-percha is one of the most used [ 95 ].…”

“…Various materials have been used as root canal fillings, among which gutta-percha is one of the most used [ 95 ]. This material has been proved to present slight antibacterial property, provided by the zinc oxide in its components; however, this does not provide to gutta-percha an effective bactericidal potential [ 98 ].…”

Bioactive mono-dispersed nanospheres with long-term antibacterial effects for endodontic sealing

“…9,10 It was reported that those sealers lose their antibacterial effect in hours or days after fixation because of the loss of the antibacterial components. 10,11 While studies also showed that the ZnOE-based and epoxy-amine-resin-based sealers can present a certain antibacterial effect up to 30 days and even longer, 12–14 their cytotoxicity should be taken into consideration. 15 The released antibacterial components (e.g., eugenol and formaldehyde) could trigger moderate to severe cytotoxicity to cells and periapical tissues.…”

“…Endodontic sealers mixed or coated with cationic nanoparticles and silver ions were also developed to provide antibacterial activity. 11,25 Similarly, those materials showed a short-term antibacterial effect and a compromised biocompatibility. Silicon-containing root canal sealers have been developed due to their favorable biocompatibility.…”