Quaternary ammonium compound as antimicrobial agent in resin-based sealants

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (METAC) in the physico-chemical properties, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of an experimental resin–based sealant. Materials and methods An experimental resin-based sealant was formulated with dimethacrylates and a photoinitiator system. METAC was added at 2.5 wt.% (G 2.5% ) and 5 wt.% (G 5% ) into the experimental resin–based sealant, and one group remained without METAC as control (G CTRL ). The resin-based sealants were analysed for polymerization behaviour and degree of conversion (DC), Knoop hardness (KHN) and softening in solvent (ΔKHN), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), contact angle, surface free energy (SFE), immediate and long-term micro-shear bond strength (μ-SBS) and antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity against human keratinocytes. Results The experimental resin–based sealants presented different polymerization behaviours without significant differences in the DC ( p > 0.05). There was no significant difference for initial KHN ( p > 0.05). The ΔKHN ranged from 51.62 (±3.70)% to 62.40 (±4.14)%, with higher values for G 5% ( p 0.05). G 2.5% and G 5% presented immediate and long-term antibacterial activity ( p 0.05). Conclusion The addition of METAC provided antibacterial activity to the experimental resin–based sealant. Clinical relevance METAC is an effective quaternary ammonium compound as an antibacterial agent for resin-based sealants without cytotoxic effects against human keratinocytes.