Exploring the Physicochemical, Mechanical, and Photocatalytic Antibacterial Properties of a Methacrylate-Based Dental Material Loaded with ZnO Nanoparticles

Abstract

While resin-based materials meet the many requirements of a restorative material, they lack adequate, long-lasting antimicrobial power. This study investigated a zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO NP)-loaded resin-blend (RB) toward a new antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT)-based approach for managing dental caries. The results confirmed that up to 20 wt% ZnO NPs could be added without compromising the degree of conversion (DC) of the original blend. The DC achieved for the 20 wt% ZnO NP blend has been the highest reported. The effects on flexural strength (FS), shear bond strength to dentin (SBS), water sorption (WS), solubility (SL), and viability of Streptococcus mutans under 1.35 J/cm2 blue light or dark conditions were limited to ≤20 wt% ZnO NP loading. The addition of up to 20 wt% ZnO NPs had a minimal impact on FS or SBS, while a reduction in the bacteria count was observed. The maximum loading resulted in an increase in SL. Furthermore, 28-day aging in 37 °C water increased the FS for all groups, while it sustained the reduction in bacteria count for the 20 wt% resin blends. Overall, the ZnO NP-loaded resin-based restorative material presents significant potential for use in aPDT.

Research hotspots and trends of nanomaterials in stomatology: A bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023

“…Shi et al demonstrated that periodontal ligament stem cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs could induce changes in the oral microbiota, assisting in periodontal bone regeneration, suppressing inflammation, and achieving antibacterial effects simultaneously [ 48 ]. Comeau et al highlighted that resin composite materials loaded with zinc oxide NPs exhibited excellent antibacterial properties, providing a novel approach for dental caries management based on antibacterial photodynamic therapy [ 49 ]. Additionally, an in vitro study has revealed that the combination of minocycline and cobalt oxide NPs can endow pits and fissure sealants with formidable antibacterial potential, thereby mitigating the occurrence of complications such as microleakage and secondary caries [ 50 ].…”

Nanomaterial-based photodynamic therapy for antibacterial applications: a comprehensive review

“…Frontiers in Materials frontiersin.org 10 based restorative materials loaded with ZnO NPs have promising applications in dentistry (Comeau et al, 2022). This structure can also influence the properties of nanomaterial-based PSs.…”