Fixed orthodontics sometimes leads to white spot lesions. Research from Beijing Friendship Hospital at Capital Medical University in China, though, has shown that silver nanoparticles (NAg) added to a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) can inhibit biofilm activity and prevent these lesions without diminishing the shear bond strength.
The researchers added the NAg to a commercial RMGIC and compared it to unaltered RMGIC and to a commercially available composite that doesn’t release fluoride. The experimental and control products were used to bond brackets to 80 extracted maxillary first premolars. Also, the researchers determined the enamel shear bond strength and adhesive remnant index scores.
To investigate biofilm viability, the researchers used a dental plaque microcosm biofilm model with human saliva as the inoculum. They also tested bacteria on the sample surface and in the culture medium away from the sample surface for metabolic activity, colony-forming units, and lactic acid production.
Adding NAg to RMGIC and aging in water for 30 days did not adversely affect the shear bond strength compared to the commercial RMGIC control. The RMGIC with 0.1% NAg achieved the greatest reductions in colony-forming units, metabolic activity, and lactic acid production. Also, the RMGIC with 0.1% NAg inhibited the bacteria on the surface and the bacteria away from the surface in the culture medium. The RMGIC with NAg greatly reduced biofilm activity.
Since the RMGIC with NAg reduced biofilm formation and plaque buildup, the researchers concluded that it could inhibit white spot lesions around brackets. NAg, then, could be used in adhesives, cements, sealants, and composites to combat biofilm and caries.
The study, “Antibacterial Orthodontic Cement to Combat Biofilm and White Spot Lesions,” was written by Xiaoying Wang, Bianhong Wang, and Yanhua Wang and published by the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics.
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