IN-VITRO INHIBITION OF CARIES AROUND A RESIN COMPOSITE RESTORATION CONTAINING ANTIBACTERIAL FILLER

Class V cavities were prepared and restored with resin composite conta ining antibacterial filler powder (Apacider-AW, Ap-AW) using experimen tal restorations. The restored teeth were incubated in vitro with the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans IFO 13955. Ground sections we re then prepared and examined using macrophotography. Lesions of the o uter and inner wall were noted, and the depths to which the lesions pe netrated were measured. We found that, in restorations containing 1-5 wt% Ap-AW, caries penetrated the marginal area, while in restorations containing 10 wt% Ap-AW the margin remained free of caries out to a di stance of about 1.1 and 1.8 mm on the occlusal and gingival sides, res pectively. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.