Encapsulated antimicrobials and related methods of treatment

A composition comprising an antimicrobial material encapsulated by a surfactant layer, a hydration layer, and an outer layer of SiO2 in the form of microparticles that are configured to release the antimicrobial material in the presence of an active dental caries lesion but to not release an effective amount of antimicrobial material in the presence of a tooth lacking an active dental caries lesion,

• wherein the antimicrobial material is in a solution and is selected from the group consisting of silver diamine fluoride, penicillin, amoxicillin, vancomycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, cephalexin, cephalosporin, cephazolin, ceftriaxone, ciproflaxin, norfloxacin, rifampin, nitrofurantoin, minocycline, streptomycin, gentamycin, tobramycin, sulfonamides, defensin peptides, gallium compound, selenium compound, mercury compound, arsenic compound, antimony compound, bismuth compound, lead compound, nickel compound, thallium compound, tin compound, cadmium compound, cobalt compound, lysozyme, acylase, octenidine, benzalkonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide, and furanone.