Effect of a Bioactive Material on Streptococcus Mutans Activity in Dentin

Dental caries is the most common bacterial infectious disease in humans, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the main cariogenic factors(1,2) . These bacteria are the common putative pathogens isolated from human dental plaque(3) . Cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans are related to their ability to adhere on teeth surfaces and to produce acids from dietary sugar, resulting in dissolution of dental hard tissues(4) . Antibiotics may be useful during treatment of dental caries by reducing viable bacterial count. Combining antibiotics with dental restorative materials, were able to sterilize caries lesions(5) . Streptococcus mutans are gram positive, cocci shaped bacteria. They are facultative anaerobes, found in the human oral cavity, and are major contributor of tooth deca