Assessment of bacterial demineralization around composite restorations using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT)

• S. mutans biofilm created gaps at the resin–tooth interface in this in vitro model.
• SS-OCT could nondestructively detect composite–tooth interfacial gaps formation.
• SS-OCT could nondestructively detect demineralization around restorations.
• SE showed less resin–enamel interfacial gap depth and length than TS.
• SE showed significantly larger dentin lesion around restorations than TS.

ObjectiveTo observe the bacterial demineralization of the enamel and dentin around composite restorations bonded with one-step and two-step self-etch adhesive systems using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).MethodsForty class V cavities (2.5-mm surface diameter, 2.0-mm maximum depth) were prepared on cervical areas of 20 human molars. The specimens were either treated with one-step adhesive (Clearfil Tri-S Bond ND Quick; TS) or two-step adhesive (Clearfil SE Bond; SE), restored with a flowable resin composite (Estelite Flow Quick). Specimens in the demineralized group were incubated for 2 weeks after Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation, while specimens in the control group were incubated for 2 weeks without biofilms. After SS-OCT observation, specimens were cut and examined under confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The lesion depth (LD), interfacial gap depth (GD) and gap length (GL) obtained from SS-OCT and CLSM were analyzed by Pearson's correlation, LD by Independent-samples t-test, GD and GL by Welch t-test, the frequency of specimens with or without gap by Fisher's exact test at the 95% significant level.ResultsSpecimens with interfacial gaps in the demineralized group showed significantly higher frequency than that in the control group (p < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between SS-OCT and CLSM values of LD, GD and GL (p < 0.05). SE showed significantly larger LD of dentin, but less GD and GL of enamel than TS (p < 0.05).SignificanceSS-OCT nondestructively detected demineralization around composite restorations and interfacial gaps created by S. mutans biofilm in this in vitro model.