Dentin sealing and antibacterial effects of silver-doped bioactive glass/mesoporous silica nanocomposite: an in vitro study.

To synthesize a silver-doped bioactive glass/mesoporous silica nanoparticle (Ag-BGN@MSN), as well as to investigate its effects on dentinal tubule occlusion, microtensile bond strength (MTBS), and antibacterial activity. Ag-BGN@MSN was synthesized using a modified "quick alkali-mediated sol-gel" method. Demineralized tooth disc models were made and divided into four groups; the following treatments were then applied: group 1-no treatment, group 2-bioglass, group 3-MSN, group 4-Ag-BGN@MSN. Next, four discs were selected from each group and soaked into 6 wt% citric acid to test acid-resistant stability. Dentinal tubule occlusion, as well as the occlusion ratio, was observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The MTBS was also measured to evaluate the desensitizing effect of the treatments. Cytotoxicity was examined using the MTT assay. Antibacterial activity was detected against Lactobacillus casei, and ion dissolution was evaluated using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Ag-BGN@MSN effectively occluded the dentinal tubule and formed a membrane-like layer. After the acid challenge, Ag-BGN@MSN had the highest rate of dentinal tubule occlusion. There were no significant differences in MTBS among the four groups (P > 0.05). All concentrations of Ag-BGN@MSN used had a relative cell viability above 72%. Ag-BGN@MSN was successfully fabricated using a modified sol-gel method. The Ag-BGN@MSN biocomposite effectively occluded dentinal with acid-resistant stability, did not decrease bond strength in self-etch adhesive system, had low cytotoxicity, and antibacterial effect. Dentinal tubule sealing induced by Ag-BGN@MSN biocomposite with antibacterial effect is likely to increase long-term stability in DH.