Evaluation of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Two Different Glass Ionomer Cements on S.Mutans - An in-Vitro Study

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess and compare the antimicrobial activity of two commercially available GICs against S.mutans bacteria. Materials and Methods: The test materials used in the study were divided into two groups namely Group 1: GC EQUIA FORTE Group 2: GC FUJI IX GP EXTRA. Direct contact test was done by placing a standardized suspension of s.mutans on the cement disc placed in a sterile 2ml flat bottomed Eppendorf tube and incubated for 1 hour at 37°C with 5-10 % CO2. 10 μl of culture was transferred to a sterile BHI Agar plate and uniformly spread using a sterile L spreader. The plates were then incubated at 37°C for 18 hours with 5-10 % CO2. The colonies were counted using digital colony counter and CFU/ml was calculated. Data collected were analysed using Independent Student t Test to compare the mean OD values and CFUs / micro litre between 2 groups. Results and Conclusion: The test results demonstrated that GC Fuji IX GP Extra showed significantly lesser mean OD Values and CFUs/micro litre as compared to GC Equia Forte. Within the limitation of this study, it can be concluded that both the GIC’s evaluated demonstrated antibacterial activity against S. mutans. The superior antimicrobial activity was demonstrated by GC Fuji IX GP Extra. Hence, it could be advantageous in patients with high caries risk.