Novel Bioactive and Anti-biofouling Resin-based Composite Containing Zwitterionic Material

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy of bioactive resin-based composite (RBC) that contains zwitterionic material of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), which would have anti-biofouling properties as it would inhibit attachment of multi-species oral bacteria, while maintaining original beneficial features of RBC.
Methods: MPC was incorporated into commercial RBC at 0 (control), 1.5, 3.0, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 weight percentage. Properties such as flexural strength, wettability, water sorption and solubility were measured. Both ion release and acid neutralizing properties were measured. Also, protein absorptions were measured and bacterial adhesion and viability on the RBC surfaces were considered using four kinds of oral bacteria; Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), Actinomyces naeslundii (KCOM 1942), Veillonella parvula (KCOM 1301), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (KCOM 2799).
Results: Addition of high wt% of MPC resulted in increased water sorption and solubility, while decreased flexural strength and wettability. Ion release and acid neutralizing properties were maintained compared to the control. Addition of 1.5, 3 or 5 wt% MPC significantly reduced amount of absorbed BSA and proteins from the BHI medium compared to the control (P < 0.001). Similar pattern was observed with bacteria attachment, as significantly less Streptococcus mutans were attached on the surface of RBC with 1.5, 3 or 5 wt% MPC (P < 0.001). In terms of RBC containing 3 wt% MPC, the results of Actinomyces naeslundii, Veillonella parvula, and Porphyromonas gingivalis were showed similar trend with Streptococcus mutans (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: These novel bioactive RBC containing 3 wt% MPC would be effective in both antifouling properties and maintenance of the original important advantageous features of RBC, which would prevent inhibit bacterial attachment. Therefore, these findings suggest that could be clinically useful as a caries-inhibiting dental materials.