Physical/mechanical and antibacterial properties of orthodontic adhesives containing Sr-bioactive glass nanoparticles, calcium phosphate, and andrographolide

White spot lesions around orthodontic brackets are the major complication during fixed orthodontic treatment. This study prepared orthodontic adhesives for promoting mineral precipitation and reducing bacterial growth. Adhesives with added calcium phosphate monohydrate/Sr-bioactive glass nanoparticles (Sr/CaP) and andrographolide were prepared. The physical/mechanical and antibacterial properties of the adhesives were tested. The additives reduced the monomer conversion of the materials (62 to 47%). The addition of Sr/CaP and andrographolide increased the water sorption (from 23 to 46 μg/mm(3)) and water solubility (from 0.2 to 5.9 μg/mm(3)) but reduced the biaxial flexural strength (from 193 to 119 MPa) of the adhesives. The enamel bond strengths of the experimental adhesives (19–34 MPa) were comparable to that of the commercial material (p > 0.05). The Sr/CaP fillers promoted Ca, Sr, and P ion release and the precipitation of calcium phosphate at the debonded interface. An increase in the Sr/CaP concentration enhanced the inhibition of S. mutans by 18%, while the effect of andrographolide was not detected. The abilities of the adhesives to promote ion release, calcium phosphate precipitation, and the growth inhibition of cariogenic bacteria were expected to reduce the occurrence of white spot lesions. The additives reduced the physical/mechanical properties of the materials, but the corresponding values were within the acceptable range.