title: A graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite film protects dental implant surfaces against cariogenic Streptococcus mutans.
abstract: Oral biofilms play a crucial role in the development of dental caries and other periodontal diseases. Streptococcus mutans is one of the primary etiological agents in dental caries. Implant systems are regularly employed to replace missing teeth. Oral biofilms accumulate on these implants and are the chief cause of dental implant failure. In the present study, the potential of graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite (GZNC) against the cariogenic properties of Streptococcus mutans was explored and the anti-biofilm behaviour of artificial acrylic teeth surfaces coated with GZNC was examined. Acrylic teeth are a good choice for implants as they are low cost, have low density and can resist fracture. Microscopic studies and anti-biofilm assays showed a significant reduction in biofilm in the presence GZNC. GZNC was also found to be nontoxic against HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney cell line). The results indicate the potential of GZNC as an effective coating agent for dental implants by efficiently inhibiting S. mutans biofilms.
authors.affiliation: a Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit , Aligarh Muslim University , Aligarh , India.
authors.forename: Shatavari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kulshrestha
authors.forename: Shakir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Ramovatar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meena
authors.forename: Braj R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Asad U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D057809:HEK293 Cells; D006801:Humans; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects*; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D006108:Graphite; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: acrylic teeth; anti-biofilm; cytotoxicity; dental caries; dental implants; graphene/zinc oxide nanocomposite