Antibacterial, mechanical, and bonding properties of self-adhesive resin composites containing surface pre-reacted glass ionomer filler

Surface pre-reacted glass ionomer (S-PRG) filler is a bioactive material capable of releasing multiple ions, including antibacterial borate ions. A self-adhesive resin composite containing S-PRG filler (Fit Sa; FS) has been reported to release high levels of borate ions. This study investigated the mechanical, bonding, and antibacterial properties of FS compared with other self-adhesive resin composites, conventional resin composites, and universal adhesive systems. The flexural strength of FS was comparable to that of conventional flowable composites and greater than that of several self-adhesive resin composites. The microtensile bond strength of FS was similar to that of a conventional self-etching adhesive system, whereas other self-adhesive resin composites showed lower strength or tended to fail prematurely. FS significantly inhibited Streptococcus mutans, while the other self-adhesive resin composites exhibited no antibacterial effect. These findings indicate that FS exhibits acceptable mechanical properties, bonding ability, and antibacterial potential, supporting its applicability for clinical use.