Evaluation of antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of resin-modified calcium silicate materials versus conventional calcium silicate materials: an in vitro study

The use of pulp capping materials with long-term antimicrobial properties is desirable and can increase the success of vital pulp therapy. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity over time of Biodentine™ (BD), TheraCal PT ® (TPT) and TheraCal LC ® (TLC) against mature polymicrobial biofilm growth on dentin. The antimicrobial activity of the materials was determined by a modified direct contact test (DCT) after 1 day and 4 weeks of contact with biofilms grown on human dentin. Cell viability after the DCT was determined using the adenosine triphosphate method (ATP). The potential of the materials to inhibit biofilm formation over time (4 and 8 weeks) was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). ATP test results were analyzed using ANOVA with Welch’s correction, followed by the Games–Howell test. For comparisons between times, Student’s t - test was used. Data regarding antibiofilm capacity underwent both the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney test. After 24 h, TLC followed by TPT showed lower microbial viability values than BD ( p < 0.001). Biodentine and TPT increased their antibiofilm efficacy over time, with no statistically significant differences between them after 4 weeks. Biodentine showed the most stable and sustained antibiofilm potential over time. Biodentine and TheraCal PT exhibit prolonged activity against polymicrobial biofilms that persist for up to 4 weeks. Resin-modified materials showed the lowest potential to inhibit biofilm formation.