Comparison of antibacterial activity of three fluorides- and zinc-releasing commercial glass ionomer cements on strains of mutans streptococci: an in vitro study.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of present study was to investigate the antibacterial activity of three commercially available fluoride- and zinc-releasing glass ionomer cements on strains of mutans streptococci. Three glass ionomers (Fuji II Conventional, Fuji II Light Cure, and Fuji IX) were used. The antibacterial effect of glass ionomer cements were estimated by anaerobically growing mutans streptococci on a selective medium by inoculating human saliva and measuring the inhibition zones around the glass ionomer discs on the medium. Fluoride and zinc release were measured and compared with the antibacterial activity. The results, when statistically analyzed, showed a direct correlation between fluoride release and antibacterial activity, but there was no correlation between zinc release and antibacterial activity.