224 - Comparative Analysis of Streptococcus mutans Adhesion on Pediatric Crown Materials

Abstract:

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans to the surfaces of Bioflx crowns, zirconia crowns, and stainless steel crowns (SSC) under controlled laboratory conditions. The goal is to provide valuable insights into the selection of crown materials and assess long-term clinical success in pediatric patients.

Methods:

Three types of pediatric dental crowns (NuSmile Bioflx, NuSmile zirconia, and 3M SSC), were sterilized and placed in the wells of a 24-well plate containing S. mutans cells in TYE + sucrose broth. The samples were incubated overnight at 37 celsius, then transferred to sterile plastic tubes containing phosphate-buffered saline for bacterial detachment by sonication. The resulting bacterial suspensions were further diluted in PBS and each dilution was plated onto BHI agar plates for colony enumeration. Colony numbers obtained from each sample were compared. Statistical significance in bacterial levels were assessed using a nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test on the log-transformed data. Post-hoc pairwise comparisons were assessed using DSCF multiple comparisons analysis to maintain a conservative 0.05 significance level. SAS EG v.8.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used for all analyses.

Results:

Bioflx crowns had significantly higher bacterial levels than SSC (adj P=.0430) and Zirconia crowns (adj P=.0245). Bacterial levels recovered from Zirconia crowns and SSC were not significantly different (adj P=.3633).




Conclusions:

SSC and Zirconia may be better options than Bioflx for pediatric patients, especially those with high caries risk and poor oral hygiene due to our finding of reduced adhesion of S. mutans to these materials.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry