Effect of surface characteristics on the antibacterial properties of titanium dioxide nanotubes produced in aqueous electrolytes with carboxymethyl cellulose.

Nanotubular structures were produced on a commercially pure titanium surface by anodization in an aqueous electrolyte that contained carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium fluoride. The internal diameters obtained were about 100, 48, and 9.5 nm, respectively. Several heat treatments at 200, 350, and 600°C were made to produce nanotubes with different titanium dioxide polymorphs (anatase, rutile). All tested surfaces were superhydrophilic, this behavior was maintained after at least 30 days, regardless of the heat treatment. Although in previous works the nanotube features effect on the bacteria behavior had been studied; this item still unclear. For the best of our knowledge, the effect of small internal diameters (about 10 nm) with and without heat treatment and with and without ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the bacteria strains comportment has not been reported. From our results, both the internal diameter and the postanodized treatments have an effect on the bacteria strains comportment. All nanotubular coatings UV treated and heat treated at 350 and 600°C; despite they have different inner diameters, inhibit the bacteria growth of both Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The nanotubular coatings obtained at 20 V and heat treated at 350°C produced the lower bacteria adhesion against both strains evaluated.

Therapeutic Use of Silver Nanoparticles in the Prevention and Arrest of Dental Caries.

Dental caries is one of the major diseases of the oral cavity affecting humans worldwide. Different alternatives have been used for its control, but its incidence and prevalence are still high. On the other hand, silver has been used for centuries due to its antimicrobial properties. With advances in nanotechnology, the use and research in nanomaterials has increased, recently, and silver nanoparticles have become an essential part of the dental practice, giving materials physical and chemical improvements in their properties, used for their antibacterial capacity preventing and arresting dental caries. The objective of this review was to examine the use of silver nanoparticles, in the treatment of dental caries in the remineralization of teeth hard tissues, as well as the antimicrobial potential, cytotoxicity, and long-term effectiveness.