Journal article
Microbial Adhesion of Streptococcus mutans on Additively Manufactured and Milled Zirconia
Journal of dentistry, Vol.162, 106046
11/2025
DOI: 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106046
PMID: 40840777
Abstract
Statement of problem: The increasing use of zirconia in dental restorations has highlighted the importance of minimizing microbial adhesion, particularly of Streptococcus mutans, which is associated with dental plaque formation and secondary caries. While traditional milled zirconia is widely used, the emergence of additively manufactured zirconia (AMZ) offers new possibilities in design flexibility, including the incorporation of controlled porosity. Purpose: This study aims to compare the microbial adhesion of Streptococcus mutans on additively manufactured zirconia (AMZ) and milled zirconia (MZ) discs. Additionally, it evaluates the impact of designed porosities on bacterial adhesion to optimize surface treatments. Material and Methods: Sixty zirconia discs (Ø12 × 5 × 5 mm) were fabricated using CAD software (SolidWorks) program and categorized into three groups, each with 15 discs: Additively manufactured zirconia with designed pores measuring 50 × 50 microns (AM:50), spaced 200 µm apart, Additively manufactured zirconia with no surface treatment (AMZ-0), and Milled 3Y zirconia (MZ). Additive manufacturing was performed using stereolithography (SLA) with a CeraMaker 900 printer, while milling utilized a 5-axis Ceramill Motion 2 machine. Surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a profilometer. For microbial adhesion assessment, nine discs from each group were exposed to S. mutans for 24 hours, followed by rinsing and quantification of adherent bacteria via colony-forming unit (CFU) counts. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: MZ exhibited the lowest S. mutans adhesion, with significantly fewer CFUs compared to the AMZ-0 group (p < 0.001). Although the AM:50 group did not show a statistically significant difference in bacterial adhesion compared to MZ, it exhibited reduced adhesion compared to the AMZ-0 group. Conclusions: MZ discs demonstrated lower S. mutans adhesion compared to additively manufactured zirconia with no porosity (AMZ-0). The presence of designed porosity in AM:50 did not show a statistically significant difference in microbial adhesion compared to MZ and exhibited lower bacterial adhesion than the untreated AMZ-0 group.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Microbial Adhesion of Streptococcus mutans on Additively Manufactured and Milled Zirconia
- Creators
- Luo Ann - University of IowaAlissa Vilhauer - University of IowaAmirali Zandinejad - Texas A&M Health Science CenterAaron Cho - University of Iowa, ProsthodonticsDavid Drake - University of IowaRansome van der Hoeven - University of Iowa, Dental ResearchFranciele Floriani - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of dentistry, Vol.162, 106046
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106046
- PMID
- 40840777
- NLM abbreviation
- J Dent
- ISSN
- 0300-5712
- eISSN
- 1879-176X
- Publisher
- ELSEVIER SCI LTD
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 08/2025
- Date published
- 11/2025
- Academic Unit
- Endodontics; Prosthodontics; Dental Research; Periodontics
- Record Identifier
- 9984948116502771
Metrics
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