Composites Modified with Antimicrobial Agents for Prevention of Secondary Caries

Summary: Across the globe, dental resin-based composites (RBCs) are being widely used by clinicians for the restoration of posterior teeth. This increased use of RBCs is due to concerns about the safety of amalgam among clinicians as well as researchers. However, RBCs clinical failure due to secondary caries has been widely reported. This failure may be attributed to the tendency of RBCs to accumulate more dental plaque compared to other restorative materials. The potential solution for this problem is to modify and improve the antibacterial properties of existing RBCs.
Aims and Objectives: The aim is to discuss in detail with all the strategies recently taken to develop antibacterial dental resin-based composite (RBCs) for the longevity of the tooth restoration.
Methods: The published literature about the antimicrobial properties of RBCs was reviewed, and the findings are summarized.
Results and Conclusion: Commercially available RBCs face the challenge of secondary caries this consequently requires advancements so as to prevent this problem and ultimately increase the materials clinical longevity. Such advanced RBCs with antimicrobial properties will be material of choice for patients, clinicians and bio material scientists. Several antibacterial agents have been incorporated into RBCs to equip the material with antibacterial activity and positive effect has been reported in Invitro studies. However, negative effect of these agents on physical properties of material has been reported. Hence, search of new antibacterial agents which do not compromise physical properties is warranted.