Antibacterial Effect of New Bioceramic Pulp Capping Material on the Main Cariogenic Bacteria.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this research was to assess the antibacterial activity of a new bioceramic pulp capping material (endosequence root repair material [ERRM]) against the main cariogenic bacteria: Salivary mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli and compare the results with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide (Dycal). MATERIALS AND METHODS The isolation of MS group bacteria and Lactobacillus (LB) spp. from stimulated saliva was performed with in-office caries risk test bacteria dip slide test. Endosequence root repair material, MTA (ProRoot MTA), and Dycal were used as pulp capping materials. Mutans Streptococci and LB were scattered on the agar dishes with a swab. The pulp capping materials under study were placed in the wells and prepared in the agar, immediately after mixing. The dishes were incubated for 24 hours at 37°C. The growth inhibition zones were recorded and compared for every material and bacterial strain. One-way analysis of variance test was done to compare the development of growth inhibition of selected bacteria against testing materials. Post hoc Tukey honest significant difference was conducted to compare each material group. RESULTS All the three selected pulp capping materials were found to inhibit the bacteria LB and MS. The antibacterial activity of ERRM and ProRoot MTA was significantly better than the Dycal. Against MS, ERRM and MTA showed no statistically significant difference. Mineral trioxide aggregate showed significantly better inhibitory activity against LB. CONCLUSION Endosequence root repair material and MTA had superior antibacterial properties against the main cariogenic bacteria: MS and LB compared with Dycal. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A pulp-capping agent having good antibacterial properties can have better success rate in maintaining the vitality of the tooth while treating deep carious lesions in patients.