Dental Sealant Empowered by 1,3,5-Tri Acryloyl Hexahydro-1,3,5-Triazine and α-Tricalcium Phosphate for Anti-Caries Application

Quaternary ammonium compounds and calcium phosphates have been incorporated into dental materials to enhance their biointeractivity and preventive effects. This study aimed at evaluating the physical and chemical properties and effects against Streptococcus mutans of a dental sealant containing 1,3,5-tri acryloyl hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (TAT) and α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP). A methacrylate-based dental sealant was initially formulated. α-TCP and TAT (G(α-TCPTAT)) were added to the experimental sealant at 2 wt.% each. One group was formulated without α-TCP and TAT and used as control (G(CTRL)). All tested resins were analyzed for polymerization kinetics and degree of conversion (DC %), Knoop hardness (KHN), softening in solvent (∆KHN%), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), the contact angle with water or with α-bromonaphthalene, surface free energy (SFE) and antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans in biofilm and in planktonic cells. The polymerization kinetic was different between groups, but without statistical differences in the DC % (p < 0.05). KHN and ΔKHN% did not change between groups (p > 0.05), but G(α-TCPTAT) presented greater UTS compared to G(CTRL) (p < 0.05). No differences were found for contact angle (p > 0.05) or SFE (p > 0.05). G(α-TCPTAT) showed greater antibacterial activity in comparison to G(CTRL) (p < 0.05). The formulation of dental sealants containing TAT and α-TCP can be characterized by improved mechanical and antibacterial properties.