The antibacterial activity of an epoxy resin-based dental sealer containing bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite, and fluorohydroxyapatite nanoparticles against Enterococcus Faecalis and Streptococcus mitis

The present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial properties of a conventional epoxy-based dental sealer modified with synthesized bioactive glass (BG), hydroxyapatite (HA), and fluorine-substituted hydroxyapatite (FHA) nano-fillers.

The synthesized nano-fillers were incorporated into the conventional epoxy-based dental seaer at the concentration of 10%. The antimicrobial properties of the unmodified sealers (controls) and modified seaers with BG, HA, and FHA nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated based on biofilm formation and using the direct contact test (DCT) of Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mitis. Data analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc test at the significance level of 5%.

A significant reduction was observed in the biofilm formation and DCT of the microbial strains in the three modified groups compared to the unmodified conventional epoxy sealer (P<0.05). The addition of FHA NPs resulted in the most significant antibacterial effects against E. faecalis and S. mitis, as well as a statistically significant reduction compared to the unmodified and BG-modified groups (P≤0.001).

According to the results of this preliminary study, nano-structured FHA, HA, and BG fillers incorporated into epoxy-based dental sealers could be potentially effective biomaterials for antibacterial approaches to root canal treatments.