Abstract
The prevention of dental caries is based mainly on killing the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans. Prevention of S. mutans adhesion through the development of physical structures is rarely utilized. In this study, a superhydrophobic PDMS/SiNPs/T-ZnOw (PST) coating was prepared for use on a bovine tooth by mixing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiNPs), and tetrapod-like zinc oxide whiskers (T-ZnOw) using one-pot solution and spray methods. The results showed that the superhydrophobicity and roughness of the coating, affected by the PDMS content, were positively correlated with the anti-adhesive effect on S. mutans. The PST coating with PDMS, SiNPs, and T-ZnOw at a ratio of 2.5:1:1 exhibited the highest water contact angle (161°) and the best anti-adhesion effect (97.2% at 4 h and 98.1% at 12 h). The anti-adhesion property towards S. mutans was attributed to its needle-like structure, and the biofilm live-dead staining test showed that the coating had no bactericidal effect. In addition, the coating exhibited favorable durability and biocompatibility, providing a solid foundation for application in the human oral cavity. Thus, this study provides an effective method for caries prevention.
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