Vital fluorescence to assess in vitro and in vivo the antibacterial effects of amalgams.

The aim of the present study was to establish an alternative methodology for testing the antibacterial effects of different amalgams. The vitality of mutans streptococci grown in vitro on various amalgam surfaces was monitored with a vital fluorescence staining technique using fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide. The in vivo effect of amalgam-non-gamma 2 fillings on the vitality of dental plaque was assessed with the same method and compared with samples originating from enamel.

Antibacterial effects of amalgams on mutans streptococci in an in vitro biofilm test procedure.

Conflicting data continue to be presented in the literature regarding the antibacterial potential of various amalgam alloy compositions. The aim of the present study was to compare the antibacterial effects of 4 different amalgam samples on mutans streptococci using two in vitro test procedures. Glass and bovine enamel served as negative controls.