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Abstract
This study investigated the effect of water storage of fiber-reinforced composite
on the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and its ability to stay adhered
and multiply on the FRC. The materials (E-glass fibers and denture base polymer) were
stored in water for 14 or 30 days or left dry. Water contact angles of the materials
before and after water storage were determined. Test specimens, with or without parotid
saliva or serum pellicle, were incubated in a suspension of S. mutans allowing initial
adhesion to occur. Bacterial adhesion and multiplication was studied using scanning
electron microscopy. Contact angles of both materials were significantly reduced after
water storage indicating an increase in surface free energy. When studied without
a surface pellicle, water storage significantly increased adhesion of S. mutans to
both glass and polymer. Saliva coating of the materials resulted in higher degree
of adhesion to glass fibers in comparison with polymer and after 14 days water storage
glass bound over twice as much S. mutans cells than the polymer matrix. Bacterial
growth and biofilm formation occurred equally on both materials. The results of this
in vitro study suggest that in order to avoid the possible increase in S. mutans adhesion,
the reinforcing glass fibers should be covered with the matrix polymer of the composite.