Antibiofilm properties of silver nanoparticles incorporated into polymethyl methacrylate used for dental applications.

Abstract

Acrylic resins used in dental and biomedical applications do not have antimicrobial properties, their surface is susceptible to colonization of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiofilm properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) deposited in a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) surface against a Staphylococcus aureus biofilm. The PMMA was impregnated with AgNPs by using the in-situ polymerization method. To determine the solubility of the incorporated silver (Ag+) atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used (AAS) at 24 h, 48 h, 7 days, and 30 days. Thirty specimens of PMMA with AgNPs and without NP (control group) were assembled in the CDC Biofilm Bioreactor system with a cell suspension of S. aureus. The specimens were removed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h to determine the viability profile and quantify the Arbitrary Fluorescence Units (AFU). The AgNPs showed an irregular and quasispherical shape with an average size of 25 nm. AAS analysis demonstrated a low solubility of Ag+. The formation of the S. aureus biofilm increased as the evaluation periods continued up to 72 h. The experimental group showed poor growth, and a decrease in the intensity of the fluorescence demonstrated a statistically significant inhibition of the formation of the biofilm (P < 0.05) in relation to the control group at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. AgNPs incorporated into PMMA decreased the growth and maturation of S. aureus biofilm.