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Effect of photoactivation on the reduction of composite resin contamination
Author(s) -
Pauletti Natalia A.,
Girotto Luiza P. S.,
Leite Françoise H. S.,
Mario Débora N.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/eos.12345
Subject(s) - composite number , contamination , materials science , resin composite , composite material , staining , chemistry , dentistry , nuclear chemistry , medicine , biology , pathology , ecology
Composite resins are predominantly marketed in developing countries in tube form, and the contents of the tube may be used in numerous procedures for different patients. This represents a problem because of the risk of cross‐contamination. This study aimed to evaluate contamination in vitro of the internal contents of composite resin tubes in the dental clinics of a higher‐education institution, as well as the effect of photoactivation on the level of contamination. Twenty‐five tubes containing composite resin were randomly chosen (by lottery). From each tube, two samples of approximately 2 mm of composite resin were removed, and then one sample, but not the other, was photoactivated. These samples were plated on Brain–Heart Infusion ( BHI ), Sabouraud and MacConkey agars, and the plates were incubated at 37°C for 24–48 h. Colony counting and Gram staining were performed for subsequent microscopic identification of fungi and bacteria. The non‐photoactivated composite resin group presented significantly higher microbial contamination in relation to the photoactivated composite resin group. The photoactivation of camphorquinone present in composite resin produces reactive oxygen species, which might promote cell death of contaminant microorganisms. Thus, although the same tube of composite resin may be used for a number of different patients in the dental clinics of developing countries, the photoactivation process potentially reduces the risk of cross‐contamination.