Caries prevention and adhesiveness of restorative materials submitted to cariogenic mixed biofilm

This in vitro study evaluated the mechanical properties of different restorative materials submitted to cariogenic conditions with induced mixed biofilm. Extracted bovine incisors (n = 108) were divided into 3 groups (n = 36) [Group 1, resin; Group 2, glass ionomer cement (GIC); and Group 3, resin-modified GIC] and were bonded on a previously prepared enamel surface with a 25 mm² area delimited with nail varnish. Each group was then further subdivided into 3 groups and tested for shear bond strength and effectiveness in caries protection. Groups 1A-3A were tested immediately after bonding, Groups 1B-3B were tested after 5 days in brain heart infusion media, and Groups 1C-3C were tested after 5 days under cariogenic conditions with mixed biofilm. The mixed biofilm system was composed of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in order to artificially create white spot lesions (WSLs). Group 1 presented the most samples with WSLs, whereas Groups 2 and Group 3 presented the highest preventive effect (P < 0.05) across all subgroups. The mean bond strengths were highest in Group 1 across all subgroups (P < 0.05). The majority of the specimens in the Group 1 subgroups presented mixed and cohesive fractures, whereas Groups 2 and 3 subgroups presented the largest amount of adhesive fractures.