Antibacterial silver-doped calcium phosphate synthesized by an enzymatic strategy for initial caries treatment

Abstract As a chronic and infectious disease, dental caries has become a part of the heavy burdens of individuals and society, which is featured with tooth mineral loss and mainly caused by oral bacteria. Anti-caries agent should be safe, and capable of both high bacterial inhibition and remineralization, yet very few ones can meet these requirements simultaneously. In this study, a silver-doped amorphous calcium phosphate (Ag-EACP) is prepared by a biomimetic enzymatic reaction, with the in vivo energy storage biomolecule adenosine triphosphate disodium (Na2ATP) as the phosphorus source. Ag-EACP has an amorphous phase, with high content of ATP. The doped silver in the form of Ag+ ion is stabilized against transformation, can help adjust the size of Ag-EACP. The Ag-EACP can effectively inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus, two main cariogenic pathogens, both in planktonic and free states, and suppress the formation of bio-film. Moreover, this nanocomposite generates significant remineralization and micro-hardness recovery of initial caries lesion. Ag-EACP shows great anti-caries effects on initial caries lesions and is promising for caries prevention in dentistry.