Bacterial adhesion and surface properties of computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing restorative materials.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the surface properties and bacterial adhesion of computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) restorative materials.

Methods: Four CAD-CAM resin-based blocks (Vita Enamic, Shofu block HC, Cerasmart [CS] and Lava Ultimate [LU]) and a leucite-reinforced glass ceramic block (IPS Empress CAD) were used in the present study. Specimens prepared with dimensions of 10 × 10 × 1 mm were polished. Surface characteristics were assessed with hydrophobicity and surface free energy (SFE) analysis. Surface roughness was measured using a profilometer, and elemental and topographic evaluations were performed with SEM-EDX analysis. After being kept in artificial saliva for 1 h, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Streptococcus mitis (S. mitis) were incubated separately in 5% CO₂ atmosphere at 37°C for 24 h. The adhered bacteria were counted as ×10⁸ CFU/mL.

Results: Surface roughness, contact angle and SFE measurement values were found to be in the range of 0.144-0.264 Ra, 28.362°-70.074° and 39.65-63.62 mN/m, respectively. The highest adhered amount of S. mutans was found in CS and the lowest in LU, while there was no significant difference between the amounts of adhered S. mitis.

Conclusion: Despite differences in the surface properties of the materials used for the study, the materials exhibited identical properties with respect to bacterial adhesion.