In vitro antibacterial activity of glass-ionomer cements

The in vitro antibacterial activity of the glass-ionomer restorative cement s Ketac-Cem, Ketac-Bond, Ketac-Silver and Vitrebond was studied in conjunct ion with 32 strains of five bacteria involved in the development of caries: Streptococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp., Actinomyces spp., Porphyromonas sp p. and Clostridium sop. The agar plate diffusion method was used for the cu ltures, which included a chlorhexidine positive control. All the glass-iono mer cements rested inhibited bacterial growth, but with considerable differ ences in the scope of their action. Of the four cements, Vitrebond, a resin -modified glass-ionomer cement, was determined to be the most effective bac terial inhibitor.