Bioactive Dental Materials in Caries Prevention and Treatment: A Comparative Study

The comparative efficacy of bioactive dental materials such as bioactive composites, calcium phosphate, and glass ionomer cement (GIC) in preventing and treating dental caries is investigated in this study. Dental caries is a global public health issue that is not always treated by current restorative means, which are often unable to promote enamel remineralization or provide long-term antimicrobial benefits. Bioactive materials have emerged as promising alternatives because of their ability to release therapeutic ions such as calcium, phosphate, and fluoride, which promote tooth repair and prevent bacterial colonization. This research assessed each material’s ability to reduce lesion depth, remineralize enamel, and inhibit bacterial growth. The bioactive composites were found to have the highest efficacy of reducing lesion depth (35%) and the highest remineralization rate (0.52 mg/mm³), followed by calcium phosphate-based materials that reduced lesion depth by 32%. GIC showed moderate efficacy in the fluoride-releasing properties with a 28% reduction in lesion depth. Finally, the study shows that bioactive materials, especially bioactive composites, are better caries preventers than conventional materials. The findings have important implications for minimally invasive dentistry, as bioactive materials may be able to enhance long-term patient outcomes through enamel remineralization and carious lesion prevention when used in clinical practice. Future research should continue to further evaluate the long-term clinical effectiveness and durability of these materials.