This study evaluates the antibacterial effects and increase in the antibiotic spectrum properties of conventional glass-ionomer cements (GIC) and the modified GICs with three antimicrobial chemical compounds. Three chemical compounds such as Boric acid, Chloroxylenol and Thymol were added to the GIC powder in the concentration of 2 % and 5 % for its antagonistic action against Streptococcus mutans (MTCC - 497). The antibacterial activity of the modified GICs with three chemicals was evaluated six days for its inhibitory activity against Streptococcus mutans by Kirby-Bauer agar well diffusion method. All the modified GICs samples have showed the increased level of inhibition compared to the ionomer cement without the chemical compounds. The compound Thymol has showed maximum inhibition, followed by Chloroxylenol and then Boric acid. Zone of inhibition was greater at 5% concentration for Thymol and Chloroxylenol. Where, Boric acid has shown maximum inhibition at 2% concentration. Thus the use of antimicrobial chemical compounds along with glass ionomer cement has provided higher antibacterial effect against the Streptococcus mutans and therefore can be used for as an alternative for the treatment of dental caries.
Key words: Streptococcus mutans, Thymol, Boric acid, Chloroxylenol.
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