Nitrogen doped titanium dioxide as an aesthetic antimicrobial filler in dental polymers

• Main Authors: Fauzi, Nurul Aliaa Ahmad, Ireland, Anthony J., Sherriff, Martyn, Bandara, H. M. H. N., Su, Bo
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier 2022
• Subjects: R Medicine; RK Dentistry
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/33541/
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

To develop an aesthetic resin composite using a nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) filler that possesses antimicrobial properties against cariogenic bacteria. Methods: N-TiO2 powder was manufactured by calcining commercial TiO2 with urea. Free radical release from the N-TiO2 powder under visible light irradiation was analysed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The N-TiO2 powder was incorporated into a dental resin and the photocatalytic activity assessed using a dye under both visible light and dark conditions. Using XTT assay to measure the cellular metabolic activity, the antibacterial properties of the N-TiO2/resin composite discs were tested using Streptococcus mutans. Results: Doping nitrogen of TiO2 resulted in a band gap shift towards the visible light spectrum, which enabled the powder to release reactive oxygen species when exposed to visible light. When incorporated into a dental resin, the N-TiO2/resin composite still demonstrated sustained release of reactive oxygen species, maintaining its photocatalytic activity and showing an antibacterial effect towards Streptococcus mutans under visible light conditions. Significance: N-TiO2 filled resin composite shows great promise as a potential aesthetic resin based adhesive for orthodontic bonding. (C) 2021 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.