Abstract
Streptococcus mutans is one of the more significant pathogens involved in the development of dental caries in humans. The purpose of this research was to design a TiO2-coated dental instrument and to determine the bactericidal effects of the instrument onS. mutants. TiO2 photocatalytic films were prepared by the low-pressure metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (LPMOCVD) method using titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) as precursor. The photocatalytic reaction was carried out on a TiO2-coated pyrex petri dish with an ultraviolet (UV) light emitting diode (LED) illuminator or a fluorescent lamp light source. Our data indicates that the relative survival ratio ofS. mutans when plated onto TiO2 photocatalytic films and under exposure to UV-A light for 15 min was 0.01%. In addition, a fluorescent lamp light source also had bactericidal effects on theS. mutans plated TiO2 photocatalytic films. These results indicate that TiO2-coated dental materials or devices may be useful in dental treatments for the prevention of carious or enamel demineralization.
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