A Novel Antibacterial Dental Resin Composite

This study reports the synthesis and evaluation of a novel furanone-containing antibacterial resin composite. Compressive strength (CS) and S. mutans viability were used to evaluate the mechanical strength and antibacterial activity of the composites. With 5% to 30% addition of the furanone derivative, the composite showed no change in CS but a significant antibacterial activity with a 16% - 68% reduction in the S. mutans viability. Further, the antibacterial activity of the modified composite was not affected by human saliva. The aging study implies that the modified composite may have a long-lasting antibacterial function. Within the limitations of this study, it appears that this experimental resin composite may potentially be developed into a clinically attractive dental restorative due to its high mechanical strength and anti-bacterial function.