The objectives of this study were to develop a bioactive dental composite and investigate the effects of
2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and
dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (
DMAHDM) in Class V composite on mechanical properties, water sorption,
protein adsorption, and inhibition of four species of
periodontitis-related biofilms for the first time. The resin consisted of ethoxylated
bisphenol A dimethacrylate (
EBPADMA) and pyromellitic
glycerol dimethacrylate (
PMGDM).
DMAHDM, MPC and nanoparticles of
amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) were incorporated into the resin. Four species (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Fusobacterium nucleatum) were tested for biofilm colony-forming units (CFU), live/dead, metabolic activity, and
polysaccharide production. The results showed that adding
DMAHDM and MPC to the composite did not compromise the mechanical properties (p>0.1), with acceptable water sorption values. Composite with 3% MPC reduced
protein adsorption to 1/9 that of a commercial composite (p<0.05). For all four species, the composite with 3% DMAHDM+3% MPC had much greater reduction in biofilms than using
DMAHDM or MPC alone (p<0.05). Biofilm CFU was reduced by about 4 orders of magnitude via 3% DMAHDM+3% MPC, compared to control. The inhibition efficacy for the four species was: P. gingivalis>P intermedia=A. actinomycetemcomitans>F. nucleatum. In conclusion, a novel bioactive composite with 3%
DMAHDM and 3% MPC achieved the greatest reduction in biofilm growth, metabolic activity and
polysaccharide of four periodontal pathogens. The new composite is promising for Class V restorations especially with subgingival margins to inhibit periodontal pathogens, combat
periodontitis and protect the periodontium.