The antibacterial effect of silver, zinc-oxide and combination of silver/ zinc oxide nanoparticles coating of orthodontic brackets (an in vitro study)

Improvement of esthetics is usually the primary goal for patients seeking orthodontic treatment [1, 2]. Attachment of fixed appliances on teeth challenges the patients with their oral hygiene measures leading to alterations in the oral environment [3, 4]. These variations are manifested as increase in areas of food particles retention, consequently leading to a rise in the number of microbial population and lowering of the dental cavity pH [5, 6]. The micro-organisms that increase on bonding and/ or banding were identified to be Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) [7] and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) [8, 9]. S. mutans were found to have an essential role in caries initiation [10, 11], while L. acidophilus contribute more in caries propagation [12]. The lowered pH causes demineralization of the enamel and impedes the process of remineralization [13]. This demineralization is manifested as white spot lesions (WSLs) and can lead to further cavitation. Therefore, the occurrence of decalcification and their appearance in the form of WSLs at the time of debonding is one of the main concerns for both the patient and the orthodontist [14].

Therefore, efforts were made to control or even prevent the development of WSLs. Starting from maintaining good oral hygiene measures that include teeth brushing using fluoridated toothpaste and rinsing with fluoride mouthwash [15, 16]. Moving to the application of varnishes [17, 18], resin materials containing antibacterial agent [19, 20] and using modified orthodontic elastomerics [21]. Recently, attempts included the addition of nanoparticles to orthodontic adhesives [22, 23], resin modified glass ionomer cements [24, 25], elastomerics [26] and coating of orthodontic brackets, wires and bands [27, 28].

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is one of the coating techniques that is characterized by its sustainability, as coatings can be reproduced with more efficiency and higher purity than when using other techniques [29]. Thermal evaporation, which is a type of PVD is considered advantageous over magnetron sputtering in its better control over the produced film thickness and higher purity [30].

Nanoparticles are defined as insoluble materials of size smaller than 100 nm [31]. Because of its small size, it has a higher surface-to-volume ratio and a closer interaction with microbial membranes, resulting in a larger surface area of antimicrobial activity [32]. Several metals as silver, copper, gold, titanium and zinc have been used since ages to act as antimicrobial materials, where each of them has different properties and range of activity [33, 34].

Using silver, silver ions and silver compounds have been considered as antibacterial agents in biomedical applications [35]. In dental applications, nanoparticles of silver were proven to be an effective antimicrobial component when added to dental resin composites, and also when coated on orthodontic brackets and wires [22, 36, 37].

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) was proven to be a good antibacterial agent [38]. Also, on coating orthodontic wires with ZnO, it was found to have a good antibacterial activity [39]. Although, the nanoparticles of silver (Ag) have displayed higher antimicrobial activity than ZnO nanoparticles [40], several studies have shown that Ag nanoparticles are cytotoxic and genotoxic to human cells [41, 42]. However, a composite of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles exhibited an improved antibacterial activity against S. mutans [25].

Therefore, with the aim of benefiting from both ZnO nanoparticles and Ag nanoparticles, while reducing their individual cons which are the cytotoxicity of Ag nanoparticles [41, 42], its higher cost than ZnO nanoparticles [33], along with the reduced antibacterial effectiveness of ZnO nanoparticles when compared to Ag nanoparticles [40], a combination of Ag/ ZnO nanoparticles was used in this study for coating of orthodontic brackets and its antibacterial activity was compared to the antimicrobial effect of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles coatings individually.

The null hypothesis was that the antibacterial effects of the three types of coatings on the orthodontic stainless-steel brackets; Ag, ZnO and the combination of Ag/ ZnO nanoparticles were not to be significantly different.

This study aimed at assessing the antibacterial effect of three types of nanoparticles; Ag, ZnO and a combination of both Ag and ZnO (Ag/ZnO) when applied as coatings on orthodontic stainless-steel brackets through physical vapor deposition, on two different strains of bacteria; Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. This evaluation was to be carried out immediately after coating (T1) and after 3 months (T2) to see if the antibacterial effect, if present, persisted.

The study was carried out at Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, the Egyptian Nanotechnology center, Cairo University, El-Sheikh Zayed Campus and Faculty of Science, Cairo University.

Rate of survival of the S. mutans bacterial cells in control group was 1403.75 ± 4.20% CFU. In Ag coated group, the survival rate was 1016.25 ± 2.80% CFU. The survival rate in the ZnO coated group was, 1157.50 ± 5.40% CFU. While in the Ag/ ZnO coated group, the survival rate was 767.50 ± 9.60% CFU (as demonstrated in Table 1, and as provided in the additional file 1 for statistical analysis). P-value for the 3 experimental groups was < 0.05. It was found that the percent of inhibition of Ag is 27.60% ± 2.00%, ZnO is 17.54% ± 4.49% and Ag/ZnO is 45.32% ± 5.26%. Therefore, in comparison to the control group, the three experimental groups showed statistically significant difference in reduction of survival rate of S. mutans. However, the Ag/ ZnO was the most effective, followed by the Ag group and then the ZnO coated groups (Fig. 7).

The Petri dishes showing the effect of the control and experimental groups on S. mutans at T1 are shown in Fig. 8.

The survival rate of bacteria in control group was 1326.00 ± 5.05% CFU. For the Ag coated brackets, the survival rate was 1006.66 ± 9.08% CFU. The effect of ZnO coating on survival rate of the bacterial cells was 1122.00 ± 8.89% CFU. And finally, for the Ag/ ZnO oxide group, the survival rate was 752.00 ± 9.38% CFU (as shown in Table 1, and as provided in the additional file 2 for statistical analysis). The P-value for the 3 experimental groups was < 0.05. The percent of inhibition of the Ag, ZnO and Ag/ZnO on the bacteria was 24.08% ± 6.89%, 15.38% ± 7.52% and 43.29% ± 5.32%, respectively. These results indicated that the three experimental groups showed statistically significant reduction on bacterial growth, with Ag/ ZnO group having the highest effect, followed by Ag coating and then ZnO (Fig. 9).

The Petri dishes showing the effect of the control and experimental groups on S. mutans at T2 (test carried out after 3 months) are shown in Fig. 8.

The control group showed survival rate of 65 ± 11.40% CFU on L. acidophilus. The Ag coated brackets showed survival rate of 24.69 ± 13.68% CFU. For the ZnO group, the survival rate was found to be 46.25 ± 12.62% CFU and finally for the Ag/ZnO group, the survival rate was 12.81 ± 15.07% CFU (demonstrated in Table 2, and as provided in additional file 3 for statistical analysis). P-value was < 0.05. The percent of inhibition of Ag was 62.02%, for ZnO was 28.85% and for Ag/ZnO was 80.29%. The results of the three groups were statistically different when compared to the control group, with Ag/ZnO coated brackets have the highest effect on reducing the bacterial counts, followed by Ag and then ZnO (Fig. 10).

The Petri dishes showing the effect of the control and experimental groups on L. acidophilus at T1 are shown in Fig. 11.

The survival rate of L. acidophilus under the effect of control group after 3 months from the initial test was found to be 71.25 ± 11.22% CFU. The effect of Ag coating was 26.25 ± 10.55% CFU. For the ZnO, it was found to be 48.75 ± 11.80% CFU. And for the Ag/ZnO group, was found to be 13.13 ± 14.92% CFU (shown in Table 2, and as shown in additional file 4 for statistical analysis). The P-value was < 0.05. As for the percent of inhibition, it was found to be 63.16%, 31.58% and 81.58% for the Ag, ZnO and Ag/ZnO groups respectively. The results were statistically significant on reducing the L. acidophilus survival rate, with Ag/ZnO having the highest effect, followed by Ag and finally ZnO (Fig. 12).

The Petri dishes showing the effect of the control and experimental groups on L. acidophilus at T2 are shown in Fig. 11.

The P-value was calculated between the results of the antibacterial tests carried out at T1 and T2 for the three experimental groups on both bacterial strains: S. mutans and L. acidophilus, to see if the effect of the coating changed over time significantly or not. The test was carried out using Student t test, with P-value < 0.05 was to be considered significantly different.

On S. mutans, the P-value between the mean of CFU was 0.744, 0.415 and 0.332 for the Ag, ZnO and Ag/ZnO coated brackets respectively, indicating no significant difference between the two-times intervals (as presented in the additional files 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 for statistical analysis).

On L. acidophilus, the P-value between the mean of CFU was 0.175, 0.339 and 0.674 for the Ag, ZnO and Ag/ZnO coated brackets respectively, indicating no significant difference between the two-times intervals (as presented in additional files 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 for statistical analysis).

This study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial effect of different surface modifications of stainless-steel orthodontic brackets through coating their surface with nano particles of silver, zinc oxide and combination of silver and zinc oxide. Possessing an antibacterial activity is an additional property that can help in overcoming one of the possible side effects of orthodontics especially in patients who don’t brush their teeth consistently [3, 4]. Leading to plaque accumulation, demineralization of teeth surface and white spot lesions formation [5, 47].

The null hypothesis presented, that no difference between the antibacterial effects of the three types of coatings on the orthodontic stainless-steel brackets, was rejected.

The results showed that brackets with surface coatings of Ag nanoparticles, ZnO nanoparticles and combination of Ag/ZnO nanoparticles showed significant difference in antibacterial effect against both S. mutans and L. acidophilus when compared to the control group. However, the Ag/ZnO nanoparticle group showed the highest antibacterial effect, followed by the Ag nanoparticle and then the ZnO nanoparticle groups.

Our results agreed with Nalini et al. [48] who found enhanced antibacterial effect for nano Ag coated brackets on S. mutans and L. acidophilus. Also, the results agreed with the findings of Hernández-Sierra et al. [49] in which the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles of Ag, ZnO and gold (Au) on S. mutans were investigated, and the results presented higher antimicrobial activity of Ag nanoparticles than ZnO and Au nanoparticles. It also demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity for Ag nanoparticles at lower concentration than ZnO and Au nanoparticles. Which may suggest that the decreased effect of ZnO nanoparticles in our study might be due to insufficient concentration for the ZnO to express pleasant antibacterial effect. This also agreed with the findings of Yamamto et al. [50] who stated that the antibacterial activity for ZnO was directly related to its concentration.

Silver nanoparticles are characterized by its synergistic effect when combined with other natural or synthetic compounds [51]. As previously described by Cardozo et al. [52] on combining Ag nanoparticles with phenazine-1-carboxamide, lead to an increase in the antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus through morphological alterations of the bacterial cell wall. As also revealed by Biasi-Garbin et al. [53], Ag nanoparticles showed strong synergistic effect when combined with eugenol significantly reducing the minimum concentrations needed from both compounds to inhibit the bacterial growth of Streptococcus agalactiae. Comparably, this is consistent with the results of our study where the combination of Ag and ZnO nanoparticles resulted in an increased antibacterial effect on both S. mutans and L. acidophilus although the concentration of Ag nanoparticles in this group was less than that of the group coated with Ag nanoparticles only. Where the coat thickness was standardized of average 50 nm for all groups, meaning that the percentage of Ag in the combination group is less than forming the whole thickness in Ag only coated group. These results agree with the findings of the study carried out to assess the antibacterial activity and mechanism of Ag/ZnO nanocomposite against S. mutans [25], which displayed enhanced antibacterial effect against S. mutans in comparison to ZnO nanorods. This was explained as a result of damaging the cell structure and membrane, in addition to the formation of ROS through assessing malondialdehyde (MDA) which is an oxidized product of polyunsaturated fatty acid. This is indicative for the oxidative damage caused by Ag/ZnO. Additionally, a bioactive composite resin containing Ag/ZnO nanoparticles was developed by Kachoei et al. [54] as antimicrobial material. Its effect was measured on S. mutans, L. acidophilus and Candida albicans. The study compared the effect of ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO nanoparticles and Ag ions and Ag/ZnO nanoparticles. The three groups showed statistically significant results as antimicrobial agents with nanocomposite containing Ag/ZnO nanoparticles possessing the highest antimicrobial activity.

In our study the coating was of average thickness 50 nm, for the aim of standardization and avoiding cytotoxicity when applied in further in vivo studies. In literature, few studies using the PVD technique have mentioned the performed film thickness. Ghasemi [37], who used two thicknesses of 60 nm and 100 nm of Ag and TiO₂ nanoparticles, stated that there was no difference between the two thicknesses as antibacterial effect on S. mutans. Also, an in vivo study conducted on rats [55], mandibular incisor brackets coated with 1 μm of Ag nanoparticles were found to be effective as antibacterial agent against S. mutans and regarding its cytotoxicity were considered safe, as the serum concentration of Ag ions was found to be 0.00175 μg/L. Accordingly, coating of 50 nm thickness was chosen for each bracket, as in patients 20 brackets will be used (50 nm × 20 = 1000 nm = 1 μm) and supposedly, they cause the same cumulative level of nano Ag in saliva which was considered safe.

The synthesis of combination of Ag and ZnO was for the purpose of reducing any possible risk for Ag nanoparticles to be cytotoxic and genotoxic on human cells [41, 42], and obtaining the benefits of its enhanced antibacterial activity over ZnO [40].

The experimental groups in our study were re-assessed after 3 months from the initial antibacterial test to check if the antibacterial effect of the coatings persisted. However, the effect of friction, that could result from several abrasive actions in the patients’ mouth, on the coating layer was not evaluated. As the main aim was testing the antibacterial activity and its persistence over time. Few studies have experimented the long-term antibacterial effect of the coated brackets. Of those studies, one was assessed after 30 days [56], and the other was carried out at three time intervals; 30 days, 60 days and 90 days [46], and both of them stated no statistically significant difference between the results of the tests carried out over time. Therefore, 3 months period was chosen for re-evaluation in our study. The results were that Ag/ZnO coated group had the highest effect on reduction of both S. mutans and L. acidophilus, followed by Ag then ZnO without significant difference concerning the antimicrobial effect of the three groups over time, indicating the persistence of the antimicrobial activity of the bracket coatings over time.