Exploring needle-like zinc oxide nanostructures for improving dental resin sealers: Design and evaluation of antibacterial, physical and chemical properties
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of needle-like zinc oxide nanostructures (ZnO-NN) on the physical, chemical, and antibacterial properties of experimental methacrylate-based dental sealers. ZnO-NN was synthesized and characterized. ZnO-NN was added to a co-monomer blend at 20, 30, and 40 wt. %. One group without ZnO-NN was used as a control. The dental resin sealers were evaluated for their flow, film thickness, water sorption, solubility, radiopacity, degree of conversion (DC), dental-sealer interface characterization via micro-Raman, and antibacterial activity. ZnO-NN presented a mean needle diameter of 40 nm and 16 m2/g of surface area. There was no difference among groups containing ZnO-NN regarding their flow. The ZnO-NN addition significantly increased the film thickness. Water sorption and solubility tests showed no difference among groups. The radiopacity increased, and DC decreased with higher concentrations of ZnO-NN. Micro-Raman suggested that ZnO-NN was in close contact with root canal dentin. Overall, the incorporation of ZnO-NN provided an antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis without a significant detrimental impact on the physical and chemical functionality of the material. The use of ZnO-NN as an inorganic filler is a potential application within dental materials intended for root canal treatment. Copyright 2020 by the authors.Keyword
Antimicrobial agentsBiopolymers
Dental materials
Methacrylate-based materials
Root canal filling materials
Zinc oxide
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https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85086626817&doi=10.3390%2fPOLYM12040789&partnerID=40&md5=d110fd26fe79495e70776dde35ecb3e8; http://hdl.handle.net/10713/13191ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3390/POLYM12040789