ABSTRACT
Assessment of the antimicrobial, micro tensile bond strength (µTBS), and degree of conversion (DC) of fifth-generation adhesive modified using photoactivated 0.5% rose bengal (RB) and photoactivated RB-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) in different concentrations (2% and 5%) as compared with the unmodified adhesive bonded to the carious affected dentin (CAD). Forty mandibular molars with caries progression up to the middle third of the dentin, as per the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) score of 4 and 5 were included. Specimens were divided into four groups based on etch and rinse adhesive (ERA) modification group 1: unmodified ERA, group 2: photoactivated 0.5% RB photosensitizer (PS) modified ERA, group 3: photoactivated RB-doped 2 wt% TiO2NPs adhesive, group 4: photoactivated RB-doped 5 wt% TiO2NPs adhesive. Followed by adhesive and composite restoration on the CAD surface. All the specimens were thermocycled and an assessment of µTBS and failure pattern analysis was performed. The antibacterial potency of RB and RB-doped TiO2NPs (2% and 5%) followed by their activation using visible light against Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans) were tested. The survival rate of S.mutans was assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The analysis of µTBS involved the use of ANOVA, followed by a post-hoc Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) multiple comparisons test. Group 1 (Unmodified ERA) (0.52 ± 0.31 CFU/mL) treated samples unveiled the highest means of bacterial survival and lowest µTBS (11.32 ± 0.63 MPa). Nevertheless, group 4: photoactivated RB-doped 5 wt% TiO2NPs adhesive displayed the lowest outcomes of S.mutans survival (0.11 ± 0.02 CFU/mL) and highest bond strength (18.76 ± 1.45 MPa). The photoactivated RB-doped 2 wt% TiO2NPs in adhesive demonstrated promising enhancements in both µTBS and antibacterial efficacy against S.mutans. However, it is noteworthy that this modification led to a decrease in the DC of the adhesive. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Unmodified ERA-treated samples unveiled the highest bacterial survival and the lowest µTBS. Photoactivated RB-doped 5 wt% TiO2NPs adhesive displayed the lowest S.mutans survival rate and highest bond strength. DC decreased with an increase in concentration of TiO2.
