Adherence inhibition of Streptococcus mutans on dental enamel surface using silver nanoparticles

The aim of this ex vivo study was to evaluate the adherence capacity of Streptococcus mutans after being exposed to three different sizes of silver nanoparticles on healthy human dental enamel. Three different sizes of silver nanoparticles (9.3, 21.3 and 98 nm) were prepared, characterized and an adherence testing was performed to evaluate their anti-adherence activity on a reference strain of S. mutans on healthy dental enamel surfaces. Colony-Forming Unit count was made for adherence test and light microscopy, atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to compare qualitative characteristics of S. mutans. 9.3 nm and 21.3 nm groups did not show differences between them but statistical differences were found when 9.3 nm and 21.3 nm groups were compared with 98 nm and negative control groups (p < 0.05). Microscopy analysis shows a better inhibition of S. mutans adherence in 9.3 nm and 21.3 nm groups than the 98 nm group when compared with control group. Silver nanoparticles showed an adherence inhibition on S. mutans and the anti-adherence capacity was better when silver nanoparticles were smaller.

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► We examined how SNP can affect cellular adhesion from S. mutans.
► Several techniques were applied to analyzed S. mutans biofilm on enamel.
► All SNP sizes had an adhesion inhibition of S. mutans.
► Smaller SNP showed a better adhesion inhibition than larger SNP.
► Inhibition effect of SNP could be related with adhesion inhibition from S. mutans.