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Original Research

Open Access

In vitro effects of different sugar alcohol concentrations on the cariogenic biofilm formed on fissure sealants

  • Samyeli Sarihan1,2,*,
  • Merve Yildirim Ucuncu3
  • Nursen Topcuoglu3
  • Betul Kargul2,4
  • Figen Eren2

1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Institute of Health Sciences, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Türkiye

2Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, 34854 Istanbul, Türkiye

3Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye

4Queen Mary University of London, E1 2AD London, UK

DOI: 10.22514/jocpd.2025.087 Vol.49,Issue 4,July 2025 pp.162-171

Submitted: 23 August 2024 Accepted: 31 October 2024

Published: 03 July 2025

*Corresponding Author(s): Samyeli Sarihan E-mail: samyelisarihan@marun.edu.tr

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of erythritol and xylitol, alone or in different combinations, on cariogenic biofilm formation on various fissure sealants. Methods: The triple biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans ((American Type Culture Collection) ATCC-25175), Streptococcus sobrinus (ATCC-33478), and Scardovia wiggsiae ((German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures) DSM-22547), was evaluated on samples of hydroxyapatite (HA) disks and disks prepared from resin-based and glass ionomer fissure sealants. The biofilm formations on the samples were determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The lowest biomass and biofilm thickness, indicating a notable inhibitory effect on bacterial growth, corresponded to the combination of 2.5%xylitol + 7.5% erythritol. In addition, biofilm formation on glass ionomer surfaces was lower than on HA and resin-based surfaces. Conclusions: Based on these results, erythritol shows antimicrobial activity at high concentrations and, combined with xylitol, it seems to exhibit a synergistic bacteriostatic effect useful for anti-cariogenic agents. Nevertheless, validation using well-designed clinical trials is needed to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of these sugar alcohols in oral health applications.


Keywords

Biofilm; Xylitol; Erythritol; Fissure sealant


Cite and Share

Samyeli Sarihan,Merve Yildirim Ucuncu,Nursen Topcuoglu,Betul Kargul,Figen Eren. In vitro effects of different sugar alcohol concentrations on the cariogenic biofilm formed on fissure sealants. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2025. 49(4);162-171.

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