In vivo evaluation of the antibacterial efficacy of polyethyleneimine nanoparticle-modified glass ionomer cement versus conventional glass ionomer cement.

AIM: Cemented crowns are susceptible to microleakage over time. Incorporation of quaternized polyethyleneimine (QPEI) nanoparticles into glass ionomer cement (GIC) may enhance its antibacterial properties, potentially increasing crown longevity. Insoluble QPEI nanoparticles exhibit strong antibacterial activity against bacteria in vitro, especially in provisional and orthodontic cements. However, their efficacy under oral conditions remains uncertain. Given the limited evidence under oral conditions, the present study evaluated the antibacterial performance of QPEI-modified GIC in vivo .

SETTINGS AND

DESIGN

This exploratory, prospective split-mouth in vivo study was conducted in 16 participants requiring two full veneer crowns in the same arch. Bacterial evaluation was performed after 1 month. Each subject received both interventions on contralateral teeth, thus minimizing inter-individual variability.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Patients requiring two fixed prosthetic crowns in the same arch were included. QPEI nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, and dynamic light scattering techniques. After tooth preparation, one crown was cemented with conventional GIC and the other with 1% QPEI-modified GIC. After 1 month, marginal cement samples were collected, and bacterial growth was quantified by colony-forming unit (CFU/mL) counts on brain heart infusion agar.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Data normality was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for intergroup comparison.

RESULTS

Paired analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in viable bacterial counts in the test group, with the Hodges-Lehmann estimator indicating a median reduction of approximately 7.5 × 10 4 CFU/mL (95% confidence interval: -3.2 × 10 4 to -1.4 × 10 4 CFU/mL).

CONCLUSION

Incorporation of 1% QPEI-modified GIC significantly enhanced its antibacterial efficacy in vivo over 1 month, indicating its potential as an antibacterial luting material for fixed prosthodontic restorations.