Antibacterial effect of silver-zeolite on oral bacteria under anaerobic conditions

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of silver-zeolite (SZ) against oral bacteria under anaerobic conditions. Methods: The antibacterial activity of SZ was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using two-fold serial dilutions of SZ in Brain Heart Infusion broth. Release of Agi into the broth was measured by an atomic absorption technique. Results. SZ inhibited the growth of the bacteria tested under anaerobic conditions. The MIC of SZ ranged between 256 and 2048 mu g/ml, which corresponded to a range of 4.8-38.4 mu g/ml of Ag+. All strains grew in broth containing 16,384 mu g/ml of type-A zeolite. Significance: These results suggested that SZ may be a useful vehicle to provide antibacterial activity to dental materials used even under anaerobic conditions such as deep in the periodontal pocket. (C) 2000 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.