Summary
The objective of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of an orthodontic cement modified with different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONP) against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Resin discs containing concentrations of 1%, 0.5%, 0.01% and 0.05% of CuONP were prepared. The disks were subjected to a direct contact microbiological test on Petri dishes inoculated with suspensions of the strains. Inhibition halos were measured with a Vernier compass. Additionally, the colony forming units (CFU) were counted. Resin discs without CuONP were used as a control group. The results showed that the concentrations of 1%, 0.5%, 0.01% and 0.05% of CuONP were effective in inhibiting the growth of S. mutans, generating average inhibition halos of 12.77 ± 0.20 mm, 10.21 ± 0.13 mm, 8.45 ± 0.24 mm and 6.22 ± 0.37 mm respectively. While the concentrations of 1%, 0.5% and 0.01% inhibited the growth of L. acidophilus with inhibition halos of 11.95 ± 0.17 mm, 9.24 ± 0.14 mm and 6.21 ± 0.20 mm. Significant differences were observed when the effect of the concentrations on both strains was compared (p<0.05). Additionally, all CuONP concentrations showed a CFU count significantly lower than the control group, for both strains (p<0.05). In conclusion, we can point out that the incorporation of different concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles in orthodontic cement has an important antibacterial effect against S. mutans and L. acidophilus.
KEY WORDS: antibacterial agent, orthodontics, nanoparticles, copper.
How to cite this article
SÁNCHEZ-TITO, M. A. Antibacterial activity of an orthodontic resin modified with different concentration of copper oxide nanoparticles. Int. J. Odontostomat., 15(3):595-601, 2021.
