Assessment of chlorohexidine-coated cotton filler addition on resin-based fissure sealants’ mechanical, water sorption, and antibacterial properties

AbstractThe occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth are susceptible to caries formation due to the presence of pits and fissures. The bacteria present in the oral cavity and food particles are accumulated on these complex structures. To prevent and protect the tooth structure, different additives were added to pits and fissures sealants to improve adhesion with tooth structure, enhance the mechanical properties, and prevent bacterial growth. In this regard, cotton was coated with chlorohexidine (CHX) and incorporated in a resin-based sealant to improve its mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength), mass change, and bacterial properties. The mean compressive strength values of CHX coated cotton modified RBS samples S1, S2 & S3 were significantly higher than the control group. The mean flexural strength value of group S1 was significantly higher as compared to the C, S2 & S3. Disc diffusion methods showed a significantly higher value of (p-value = 0.003) antibacterial potential of groups S2 and S3 as compared to group C. The mean percent mass change values of S1, S2 & S3 were higher than the control group. Hence the addition of CHX-coated cotton fillers in RBS improved its properties.