Antibacterial and antiadherent properties of silver dioxide-coated brackets

Introduction: Enamel demineralization after fixed orthodontic treatment can occur in 50% of patients. Brackets play a significant role in enamel demineralization. Silver has already been prooved to have antibacterial properties. Hence the present study is conducted to assess the antiadherent and antibacterial properties of photocatalytic silver dioxide (AgO 2 ) surface modified stainless steel orthodontic brackets against S. mutans . Materials and Methods: 80 stainless steel brackets of maxillary right central incisor brackets were divided into four groups. Each group consisted of 20 brackets. Groups containing uncoated brackets acted as a control group for their respective experimental group containing silver dioxide coated brackets. Brackets then were subjected to microbiological tests for assessment of their antiadherent and antibacterial properties against S.mutans . Results: Coated Brackets showed antiadherent effect against S.mutans compared with uncoated brackets. The bacterial mass that was bound to the AgO 2 coated brackets was less when compared with the uncoated brackets. Furthermore, AgO 2 coated brackets had a bactericidal effect on S.mutans . Conclusion: Coating brackets with photocatalytic silver di-oxide would be an innovative and logical step in preventing development of periodontal disease and white spot lesion in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment.