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. 2023 Oct 22;15(10):e47495.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.47495. eCollection 2023 Oct.

Preparation and Assessment of Antimicrobial Effect of Strontium and Copper Co-substituted Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle-Incorporated Orthodontic Composite: A Preliminary In Vitro Study

Raja Kumar  1 , Shweta Nagesh  1 , S P Mani  1
Affiliations

Preparation and Assessment of Antimicrobial Effect of Strontium and Copper Co-substituted Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticle-Incorporated Orthodontic Composite: A Preliminary In Vitro Study

Raja Kumar et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background and aims Enamel demineralization and white spot lesions (WSLs) during orthodontic treatment have always been a challenge to orthodontists. The advancement of nanotechnology has paved the way for the incorporation of bioactive compounds in orthodontic materials especially orthodontic composites for prevention and management of WSLs. The present study aims to prepare, characterize, and then incorporate copper and strontium doped nanohydroxyapatite into orthodontic composite material and test its antibacterial efficacy. Materials and methods The present in vitro study involved the preparation of the strontium and copper co-substituted hydroxyapatite (SrCuHA) nanoparticles (Nps) using the sol-gel method. The prepared Nps were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The Nps were incorporated into a commercially available orthodontic composite. The antimicrobial properties of the SrCuHA Nps-incorporated composite were tested using the Agar well diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus(S. aureus), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Results The SrCuHA Nps were successfully prepared. EDAX, FTIR, and SEM analyses revealed the successful formation of the Nps. The SrCuHA-incorporated orthodontic composite at a higher concentration of 40 μl showed the maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) against S. mutans. The control group showed the maximum ZOI against E. coli and the SrCuHA Nps-incorporated composite at 20 μl showed the maximum inhibition against S. aureus. Conclusion In the present study, successful preparation of SrCuHA Nps followed by incorporation in the orthodontic adhesive was done. The prepared nanoparticle was characterized and the SrCuHA Nps-incorporated orthodontic composite demonstrated comparable ZOI against S. mutans to the control.

Keywords: caries prevention; nanohydroxyapatite; nanoparticles; orthodontic composite; orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. FTIR spectroscopy image of the SrCuHA Nps.
Between 900 cm-1 and 1100 cm-1 and 550 cm-1 and 667 cm-1, respectively, are the characteristic absorption bands of the PO34- group. Due to the -OH group in SrCuHA, low-intensity absorption bands are present at 3580 cm-1 and 667 cm-1. H2O molecules are represented by the peaks at 3430 cm-1 and 1632 cm-1 in SrCuHA. FTIR: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; SrCuHA Nps: Strontium and copper co-substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles
Figure 2
Figure 2. EDAX spectrum of the SrCuHA Nps.
The peaks indicate the presence of dominant elements in the prepared SrCuHA nanoparticle. The dominant elements included Ca, P, O, C, Sr, and Cu. Cu: Copper; Sr: Strontium; C: Carbon; O: Oxygen; P: Phosphate; Ca: Calcium; EDAX: Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis; SrCuHA Nps: Strontium and copper co-substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles
Figure 3
Figure 3. SEM image of the SrCuHA Nps and SrCuHA Nps integrated composite. a) SEM image of SrCuHA Nps, b) SEM image of the SrCuHA nanoparticles integrated into an orthodontic composite.
SEM: Scanning electron microscopy; SrCuHA Nps: Strontium and copper co-substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles
Figure 4
Figure 4. a) ZOI against S. mutans, b) ZOI against S. aureus, c) ZOI against E. coli.
ZOI: Zone of inhibition; S. mutans: Streotococcus mutans; S. aureus: Staphylococcus aureus; E.coli: Escherichia coli
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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