Antibacterial Adhesive System: A Bio-active Restorative Materials for Caries Treatment

Based on numerous studies in the field of dental materials science, mechanical and aesthetic properties, bonding abilities, and handling characteristics of dental restorative materials have been greatly advanced. On the other hand, treatment of caries is being shifted from the traditional way to "Minimal Intervention Dentistry", whose principles are to delay operative intervention by remineralizing the lesion or preventing further demineralization and to employ the minimum removal of the tooth structure in cases where surgical intervention is necessary. In this context, materials used for restorative treatment in a new era should be bio-active to provide greater benefit to oral health. Amongst several therapeutic functions proposed for such innovative restorative materials, the antibacterial activity can be highlighted for caries treatment.

We have developed an antibacterial adhesive system Clearfil Protect Bond® by incorporation of a novel monomer MDPB into dentine primer. MDPB is a polymerizable bactericide synthesized from quaternary ammonium, and the dentine primer containing MDPB has been demonstrated to show cavity-disinfecting effects in vitro and in vivo. This adhesive system is expected to overcome possible problems caused by bacteria in the cavity, and consequently producing a benefit for treatment with less surgical intervention. In this presentation, the detail of the MDPB-containing adhesive system, including its antibacterial effects, are summarized. In addition, the possibility of the MDPB-containing adhesive system to be used for future caries treatment such as the antimicrobial management of root surface caries is addressed.