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Antibacterial and demineralisation-inhibiting properties of silver complex fluoride on dentine caries: an in vitro study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and demineralisation-inhibiting effects of a non-discolouring silver complex fluoride (SCF) on artificial dentine caries. Dentine blocks with artificial carious lesions were treated with SCF, silver diamine fluoride (SDF, as positive control), and water (as negative control). Then the blocks underwent Streptococcus mutans biofilm and pH–cycling for 7 days. The morphology, viability and growth kinetics of the biofilm were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and colony-forming unit (CFU) counting, respectively. The dentine blocks’ dentine surface morphology, lesion depths and mineral loss, chemical structure and crystal characteristics were determined using SEM, micro-computed tomography, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. One-way analysis of variance with the Bonferroni post hoc test was performed to assess and compare the data. SEM revealed confluent bacterial growth covering the surface of dentine treated with water but not SCF and SDF. CLSM showed that the dead-to-live ratios of biofilms treated with SCF, SDF, and water were 0.77 ± 0.16, 0.88 ± 0.40, and 0.44 ± 0.03, respectively (p<0.001, SCF, SDF>Water). The Log CFU values of the biofilm treated with SCF, SDF and water were 6.7±0.1, 6.6±0.2 and 7.8±0.1 (p<0.001, SCF, SDF<Water). SEM images showed Group SCF had less exposed dentine collagen fibers than Group Water. Micro-computed tomography showed the lesion-depth (μm) of dentine treated with SCF, SDF and water were 40±5, 35±8 and 180±20 (p<0.001, SCF, SDF<Water). The mineral loss (gHApcm −3 ) of dentine treated with SCF, SDF and water were 0.24±0.05, 0.20±0.03 and 0.45±0.03 (p<0.001, SCF, SDF<Water). FTIR showed the amide I-to-hydrogen phosphate ratios of dentine treated with SCF, SDF and water were 0.25±0.03, 0.22±0.03, and 0.43±0.05 (p<0.001, SCF, SDF

Source: Journal of Dentistry

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106528

Authors: Grace Y Xu, Iris X Yin, Irene S Zhao, Christie YK Lung, Edward CM Lo, Chun Hung Chu

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen University

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,160