Methyl Methacrylate Resin with Antibacterial Properties

Acrylics have a wide spread usage in dentistry and are capable of accumulating more bacteria when compared to other materials. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the antibacterial properties of Methyl Methacrylate restorative material supplemented triclosan. Methods: Triclosan was soluabilized in methyl-methacrylate monomer at concentrations of 0%, 0.25%, 0.5% and 1.0%. Then the acrylate powder containing barium silicate glass, was mixed with the monomer at a ratio of 2 (powder):1 (monomer) and cured into circular discs (n=16) of 8 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness. The final concentration of the antibacterial agent in the resin was 0, 0.083%, 0.166% and 0.33%. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc agar diffusion method against S. mutans (ATCC 25175) after 8 and 24 weeks of storage in water at 23C with a 2X daily wash. The antibacterial activity was determined by macro photography and zones of inhibition (ZI diameter, cm) measurements. Results: The control samples did not show a ZI. For 0.08% triclosan, the ZI's were 1.25 (0.07) for the unwashed samples, 1.1 (0.14) after 8 week wash, growth around the margins after the 24 week wash. For the 0.17% triclosan, the ZI's were 2.05 (0.21) for the unwashed samples, 1.6 (0.28) after 8 week wash and 1.1 (0.31) after 24 week wash. The results for 0.33% triclosan were 2.75 (0.07), 2.35 (0.14) and 1.65 (0.07) for the unwashed samples, after 8- week wash and after 24 week wash. Conclusion: The results show that the resin alone does not have activity against S mutans and show that triclosan is released slowly (t-test, p>0.05, pre vs. post wash at both 8 and 24 weeks) and may help prevent growth of cariogenic bacteria around the resin. The resin may also act as a delivery system for the agent tested. Supported by OHCS LLC