Marine-derived chitosan composites in restorative dentistry: antibacterial and mechanical properties: Komposit kitosan yang berasal dari laut dalam kedokteran gigi restoratif: sifat antibakteri dan mekanisnya

Alqarama Mahardhika Thalib (Department of Dental Material Science and Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia)
Asmawati Amin (Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia)
Bahruddin Thalib (Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia)
Nurul Zulhijjah (Professional Students Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia)
Lenni Indriani (Department of Dental Material Science and Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia)

MDJ (Makassar Dental Journal)
Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026): Volume 15 Issue 2 August 2026

Conventional composite resins often show limited antibacterial activity and are susceptible to degradation, potentially leading to secondary caries. Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide, exhibits biocompatible, biodegradable, and antibacterial characteristics, offering potential improvement in composite resin perfor-mance. This review evaluates the effect of chitosan incorporation on the mechanical and antibacterial properties of composite restorations. A systematic re-view following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Elsevier databases (2015-2025). Inclusion criteria covered in vitro and in vivo studies analyzing chitosan-modified composite resins. Five eligible studies were reviewed based on chitosan concentration, resin type, and outcomes. Chitosan (0.1-2%) enhanced hardness, fracture resistance, and surface stability while providing notable antibacterial activity against S.mutans. Antibacte-rial effects increased up to 2-5%, though higher concentrations (>5%) could reduce some mechanical strength. It is concluded that marine chitosan appears to be an effective additive for restorative composites, improving antibacterial properties and mechanical stability without compromising adhesion. Further cli-nical trials are needed to validate its long-term benefits and optimal concentration for dental applications.