ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF RESTORATIVE MATERIALS ON CARIOGENIC BACTERIA: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate, through a literature review, the in vitro antibacterial effect of restorative dental materials on microorganisms involved in dental caries such as Streptococcus mutans. Material and Methods: This literature review was conducted in the databases Medline, PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs and Cochrane, and the following descriptors were employed: antibacterial potential, Streptococcus mutans, restorative materials, glass ionomer cement, compomer e composite resins. Eight articles were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: in vitro studies that evaluated the antibacterial activity of restorative materials and used strains of Streptococcus mutans grown on traditional culture media, as well as availability of full text, publication in Portuguese, English or Spanish, and clarity in describing methodology details. Results and Conclusion: Data revealed that glass-ionomer cements presented a higher antibacterial activity than compomers and composite resins, despite the need for further studies in order to clarify the real antibacterial potential of such material. DESCRIPTORS: Products With Antimicrobial Action. Streptococcus mutans. Dental Materials. Glass Ionomer Cements. Composite Resins, Compomers.