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Updated: Aug 20, 2025
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: September 27, 2024
Antimicrobial efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticle-coated aligners on Streptococcus mutans and Candidaalbicans
Prathima Anita1, Haritha Pottipalli Sathyanarayana1, Kennedy Kumar2
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India.
Introduction:
This study aimed to assess the antimicrobial effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocoating on aligners.
Methods:
Twenty-six samples of aligners were sputter-coated with ZnO nanoparticles and compared with 26 uncoated samples. The antimicrobial effect was assessed on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. The thickness of the ZnO coating was standardized at 100 nm. The antimicrobial effect was evaluated for 7 days at the following time points: 6 hours, 12 hours, first day, second day, fourth day, and seventh day. Colony culture tests were performed for microbial evaluation.
Results:
ZnO-coated aligners showed significant antimicrobial efficacy against S mutans at all time points tested (P <0.001). The antimicrobial effect was observed up to 2 days after a decline. The activity against C albicans was minimal at all time points, and no statistical significance was observed (P >0.05).
Conclusions:
ZnO-nanocoated aligners were effective against S mutans, with the maximum antibacterial effect observed until 2 days and lasting for 7 days. The effect against C albicans was minimal. ZnO-coated aligners appears to be a promising technique to facilitate antimicrobial efficacy against S mutans.
