title: Silver doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles as antimicrobial additives to dental polymers.
abstract: The objectives of this in vitro study were to produce a filled resin containing Ag-TiO2filler particles and to test its antibacterial properties.
  
  
  
  Ag-TiO2particles were manufactured using the ball milling method and incorporated into an epoxy resin using a high speed centrifugal mixer. Using UV/vis spectrophotometry investigations were performed to assess how the photocatalytic properties of the Ag-TiO2particles are affected when encased in resin. Adopting the bacteria colony counting technique, the antibacterial properties of Ag-TiO2particles and Ag-TiO2containing resins were assessed using Streptococcus mutans under varying lighting conditions.
  
  
  
  Ag doping of TiO2results in a band gap shift towards the visible spectrum enabling Ag-TiO2to exhibit photocatalytic properties when exposed to visible light. Small quantities of Ag-TiO2were able to produce a bactericidal effect when in contact with S. mutans under visible light conditions. When incorporated into the bulk of an epoxy resin, the photocatalytic properties of the Ag-TiO2particles were significantly reduced. However, a potent bactericidal effect was still achieved against S. mutans.
  
  
  
  Ag-TiO2filled resin shows promising antimicrobial properties, which could potentially be used clinically.
authors.affiliation: Child Dental Health, School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.affiliation: Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton TA1 5DA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials Engineering, School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Oral Microbiology, School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Jenkinson
authors.affiliation: Child Dental Health, School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sandy
authors.affiliation: Child Dental Health, School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: tony.ireland@bristol.ac.uk.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ireland
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002384:Catalysis; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D008027:Light; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011108:Polymers; D012834:Silver; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003764:Dental Materials; D011108:Polymers; C009495:titanium dioxide; D012834:Silver; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Antimicrobial; Resin; Silver doped titanium oxide