Antimicrobial study of cast post and its surface modification with nanoparticle

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Cast posts are custom dental restorations fabricated in laboratories.
• Empty root canals can harbor bacterial growth, leading to infections.
• Natural extracts like neem and green tea possess antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of cast posts coated with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized using green tea and neem extracts.
• To determine the effectiveness of these nanoparticle coatings against specific oral microorganisms.

Main Methods:

• Cast posts were custom fabricated and coated with green tea and neem-mediated ZnO nanoparticles.
• Antimicrobial activity was assessed using an agar diffusion assay, comparing coated and non-coated posts.
• Zones of inhibition were measured to quantify antimicrobial effectiveness.

Main Results:

• The ZnO nanoparticle-coated cast posts demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity.
• Maximum zones of inhibition were observed against Candida albicans, followed by Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans.
• Green tea and neem-mediated ZnO nanoparticles proved effective against tested microorganisms.

Conclusions:

• Cast posts coated with green tea and neem-mediated ZnO nanoparticles show promising antimicrobial properties.
• This innovative coating can help prevent the origin and spread of infections within root canals and periapical regions.
• Nanoparticle-coated cast posts represent a potential advancement in endodontic treatment and infection control.