Aim: The current study's aim was to compare the antibacterial effect of chlorhexidine modified glass ionomer cement using Consepsis (2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution) versus conventional GIC against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. In addition, solubility, fluoride ion release and compressive strength of the two tested groups were compared.
Materials and methods: Antibacterial efficiency of both material groups was evaluated using agar diffusion test. 140 samples were prepared for this test where the inhibition zones were measured in mm and tested at (1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days). Ten-disc shaped samples were used to measure solubility (μg/mm3) by detecting their weight change prior to and following a 28-day submersion in distilled water. Fluoride ion release was measured using ten-disc shaped samples and its amount determined in mg F/L after 28 days. A universal testing machine was used to measure the compressive strength (MPa) of ten-cylinder shaped samples for each material.
Results: Results of antibacterial test showed a statistically significant increase in inhibition zones of the intervention group compared to the control group against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in the all-time intervals of the test (p-value ≤ 0.05). Results of solubility, fluoride ion release and compressive strength indicated that there was no significant difference between the CHX modified GIC and the conventional group.
Conclusion: The addition of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution to the conventional Fuji IX glass-ionomer cement promoted the antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus with no deteriorating effect on, solubility, fluoride ion release and compressive strength.