The effect of silver and calcium fluoride nanoparticles on antibacterial activity of composite resin against Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study

Abstract

Background: Recurrent caries were attributed to the lack of antibacterial properties of the
dental materials. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and calcium fluoride nanoparticles (CaF2NPs) are
broad‑spectrum antibacterial agents. The object of the study was to investigate the antibacterial
properties of composite‑incorporated AgNPs and CaF2NPs on Streptococcus mutans.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study  forty‑eight disks containing 0.5, 1, and 1.5% wt AgNPs s (n = 24)
and 5, 10, and 15% wt CaF2NPs were prepared from flowable composite resin (n = 24). The
third group consisted of 9 types of the combination of AgNPs and CaF2NPs (n = 72). A field
emission scanning electron microscope with an energy‑dispersive X‑ray spectroscopy analysis
system was used to test for the presence of nanoparticles in composite resins. The antibacterial
efficacy of dental composite was evaluated by disk diffusion agar test. The minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration were conducted. Data were analyzed
using one‑way ANOVA and multiple Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) tests. Significance
level was set at 0.05.
Results: Nanoparticles added to composite produce bacterial inhibition zone. The greatest
inhibition of bacterial growth was recorded in the third group which contained both
nanoparticles (P < 0.05). MIC values decreased after adding CaF2 NPs to the AgNPs‑containing
composite. The results of the FE‑SEM test indicate the presence of AgNPs and CaF2NPs in the
dental composite resin sample. On the other hand, the formation of AgNPs and their elemental
nature were proved using energy dispersive X‑ray microanalysis EDX analysis. According to
the results, composite resins containing 0.5% of AgNPs s and 15% of CaF2NPs exhibited a
significantly lower antibacterial activity compared to the 1.5% and 1% of AgNPs s with 15% of
CaF2NPs (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Dental composite resins‑containing CaF2NPs and AgNPs showed anti‑bacterial
activity against S. mutans.
Key Words: Anti‑bacterial agents, calcium fluoride, composite resins, nanoparticles, silver

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Mehdi Fathi: Pubmed,Google Scholar