Objective: To test efficacy of zinc oxide (ZnO) as the antimicrobial agent and shear bond strength of a light-cured resin-modified glass ionomer used in orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: ZnO was added to Fuji Ortho LC to create mixtures of 12% ZnO and 24% ZnO. Specimen discs of the modified bonding agent were incubated with Streptococcus mutans for 48 hours in a disc diffusion assay that was used to measure zones of bacterial inhibition. In addition, brackets were bonded to human extracted premolars with the modified bonding agents, and shear bond strength was evaluated with a universal testing machine. Results: The modified samples showed that antimicrobial activity increased as the concentration of ZnO increased. There were significant differences (p value < 0.05) in antimicrobial activity and shear bond strength between the groups. Conclusion: The incorporation of ZnO into Fuji Ortho LC added antimicrobial properties to the original compound without significantly altering the shear bond strength. ZnO holds potential for preventing decalcification associated with orthodontic treatment.
Key words: Zinc oxide, Antimicrobial effects, Shear Bond strength.

Received: 12 May 2018                    Revised: 15 September2018                          Accepted: 21September 2018

Corresponding author: Dr. Sagar Kharat, B.D.S., M.D.S., Professor, Department of Orthodontics, R.R. Kambe Dental College and Hospital, Kanheri Sarap, Akola, Maharashtra, India

This article may be cited as: Kharat S. Antibacterial effects and Shear bond strength of Orthodontic Composite containing Zinc Oxide. Int J Res Health Allied Sci 2018; 4(5):27-30.