FISSURE PENETRATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT IN-VITRO OF A GLASS-IONOMER CEMENT CONTAINING CHLORHEXIDINE GLUCONATE

Chlorhexidine has been incorporated in different varnishes to provide a slow release system on the tooth surface in order to reduce mutans s treptococci. To provide an alternative vehicle for chlorhexidine with better adhesion properties compared to resin-based varnishes, glass io nomer cement (GI) has been suggested. However, one disadvantage for gl ass ionomers is a longer setting time compared to the resin-based varn ishes. The aim with this study was to compare the fissure penetration and antibacterial characteristics of a glass-ionomer cement (GI) with a GI containing chlorhexidine gluconate (GI-CHX), and GI-CHX with adde d tataric acid (GI-CHX-TA) to reduce its setting time. Antibacterial p roperties against mutans streptococci were assessed by agar diffusion. GI, GI-CHX and GI-CHX-TA were applied with a micro-brush on the occlu sal surfaces of 4, 4 and 6 extracted molars respectively. After settin g of cements, sections were ground with 1 mm intervals and photographe d. The fissure penetration and adaptation of the cements were scored e xcellent, acceptable or unacceptable under blind conditions according to a standard. Seventy percent scored excellent with GI-CHX-TA (n = 54 ) compared with 40% with GI-CHX (n = 48) and 38% with GI (n = 40), (p < 0.05). GI-CHX and GI-CHX-TA had significant better antibacterial pro perties compared to GI or GI with added tataric acid only.