DEAE-Dextran coated AgNPs for antibacterial composite based dental fillings

Abstract

The major dental problem now a days is occurrence of dental caries. To cope with them, the best treatment option considered today is restorative material fillings. There is observed few problems with utilization of composite material. The accumulation of biofilm over these dental composite resins is a major cause of secondary caries. Antibacterial restorative resins are an effective option to avoid biofilm accumulation. The aim of this research was to synthesize novel Diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-dextran silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and to modify dental composite resins utilizing these NPs. The antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of these composites were evaluated and compared with unmodified composites. Furthermore, these modified composite resins were assessed for their mechanical and cytotoxic activity. DEAEDextran AgNPs of mean size i.e., 170nm were successfully synthesized with chemical reduction method which was confirmed by Ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Zeta potential and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Antibacterial activity of modified composite disc specimens was tested against Streptococcus mutans (S. Mutans), Enterococcus faecalis (E. Faecalis) and microcosm biofilms. The composite discs prepared with DEAEDextran AgNPs exhibited excellent antibacterial activity when compared with composite resin reinforced with simple AgNPs. Also, composite resins with DEAE-Dextran AgNPs exhibited enhanced antibiofilm properties when compared with the silver modified resin composites (P<0.05). The mechanical properties were significantly enhanced by the addition of DEAEDextran into composite resin(P<0.05). Moreover, unlike AgNPs, DEAE-Dextran AgNPs were less haemolytic. In short, these results established strong ground applications for DEAEDextran modified dental composite resins.