Biodegradation of Dental Resin Composites and Adhesives by Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro Study

A major cause for dental resin composite restoration replacement is secondary caries attributed to Streptococcus mutans. Salivary esterases were shown to degrade resin composites. Hypothesis: S. mutans contain esterase activities that degrade dental resin composites and adhesives. Esterase activities of S. mutans were measured using synthetic substrates. Standardized specimens of resin composite (Z250), total-etch (ScotchbondMultipurpose, SB), and self-etch (Easybond, EB) adhesives were incubated with S. mutans UA159 for up to 30 days. Quantification of a bisphenol-glycidyl-dimethacrylate (BisGMA)-derived biodegradation by-product, bishydroxy-propoxy-phenyl-propane (BisHPPP) was performed using high performance liquid chromatography. Results: S. mutans were shown to contain esterase activities in levels comparable to human saliva. A trend of increasing BisHPPP release throughout the incubation period was observed for all materials and was elevated in the presence of bacteria vs. control for EB and Z250