TiO2: ZnO nanocomposites in treatment of dental plaques

Author(s): Anitha Thomas, M. ShailajaRaj, Jagirdar Venkataramana

Abstract

Dental caries is a major concern effecting most of the individuals today. Statistics show that 69% of adults aged 35 to 44 years have lost permanent tooth due to accident, gum disease failed root canal or tooth decay. Dental plaque is a general term for the diverse microbial community found on tooth surface, embedded in matrix of polymers of bacteria. Nanoparticles considered being of a size not greater than 100 nm have unique properties to combat infection. Nanocomposite is a matrix to which nanoparticles have been added to improve a particular property of the material. The present study deals with the antimicrobial studies of nanocomposite preparations of Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide. Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide nanocomposites are found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of bacteria. The present work is to prepare different proportions of nanocomposites of these oxides and find out if the effectivity is more when compared to using the nanoparticle alone. Some nanocomposite materials have been shown to be 1000 times tougher than the bulk component materials. The study carried out shows that the antimicrobial activity of nanocomposites is more effective than the nanoparticle alone providing best alternative to dental implant surgery.

10.21746/ijbio.2016.10.0012

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