Antibacterial Activity and Enamel Bonding Effectiveness of a Novel Orthodontic Triclosan-Methacrylate Cement

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding Triclosan methacrylate (TM) to an orthodontic resin cement on inhibition of bacterial growth, shear bond strength (SBS) of orthodontics bracket to enamel and on reduction of enamel demineralization around brackets
Methods: Two experimental orthodontic resin cements based on BISGMA/TEGDMA were synthetized: 1) Control Cement (CC-without TM); 2) TM Cement (TMC - with TM). Antibacterial activity against S. mutans was assessed by counting the colonies formed on agar plates. SBS was evaluated in Universal testing machine Instron using brackets bonded to bovine enamel and submitted to 1500 thermal cycles. Enamel demineralization around the brackets was evaluated in vitro using transversal microhardness test.
Results: TM Cement significantly reduced bacterial growth. Clinically acceptable bond strength values were found, SBS was maintained after thermocycling. However, no significant difference in the demineralization around the brackets between Control and TM Cement was observed.
Conclusions: The incorporation of TM in orthodontic resin cement added antimicrobial properties without altering its mechanical properties.