HYDROXY APATITE - ALGINATE DENTAL COMPOSITE LOADED WITH MYRISTICA FRAGRANS AND SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM EXTRACTS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DENTAL CARIES

Abstract

Dental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. It affects more than 80% of the child population and a vast majority of adults. These are bacterial born infection which will ultimately end up in tooth decay and associated complications. The current approaches for the management of dental caries involves the lowering the number bacteria or reduction of cariogenic activity of bacteria in teeth by mechanical or chemical agents followed by a fluoride treatment to increase the resistance of teeth. The limitations of endodontic irrigants such as chlorhexidine in caries etiology along with the development of multiple drug resistance put forth the need for a more efficient antibacterial agent. Sustained release of phytochemicals can be a potent alternative to this issue owing to the fact that phytochemicals can address the multiple drug resistance by different mechanism of action with broad spectrum of activity.  In the present study a complex system of hydroxyl apatite (HA) and alginate loaded with Myristica fragrans and Syzygium aromaticum were synthesized by in situ incorporation and characterized by FTIR analysis. Myristica fragrans and Syzygium aromaticum possess a potent anti-microbial activity against dental pathogens and inclusion of HA can enhance re-mineralization and dental tissues.  Nutmeg loaded HA-clove loaded alginate (NMHA-CA) exhibited potent anti-bacterial and antibiofilm activities against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. . NMHA-CA showed superior effects against oral pathogens and forms a potent candidate for the management of dental caries.