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Updated: Jun 29, 2025
Author Spotlight: Metallic Nanocomposites to Eliminate Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Published on: October 4, 2024
Does the Incorporation of Graphene Oxide into PMMA Influence its Antimicrobial Activity?
I Ferreira1, B D Sahm1, O L Alves2
1Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Introduction:
The increase in infectious diseases mediated by oral bacteria has been one of the most potent threats to human health, specifically to the elderly. Researchers seek to incorporate antimicrobial nanomaterials into PMMA to control the colonization of microorganisms and reduce deadly diseases.
Objective:
To conduct a systematic review to answer the question: "Does graphene oxide incorporated into polymethylmethacrylate influence its antimicrobial activity?"
Methods:
The electronic search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, and articles published until October 2021 were selected. The search terms were: ("acrylic resin" OR PMMA) AND (graphene OR "oxide graphene") AND (antimicrobial OR antibacterial OR "anti-infective agent"). The risk of bias analysis of the articles was performed using the quasi-experimental study assessment tool adapted from the JBI.
Results:
Two hundred and fifty-nine articles were found in the databases. After removing the duplicates, 245 were analyzed by title and abstract. Of these, 06 were selected for full reading, of which 03 met the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review.
Conclusion:
This systematic review's findings can infer that the incorporation of graphene in the form of graphene-based coatings to PMMA showed antimicrobial effectiveness.
Insights
Graphene oxide in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) demonstrates antimicrobial effectiveness, offering a potential strategy to combat oral bacterial infections, particularly in the elderly. This review confirms graphene-based coatings enhance PMMA's ability to fight harmful microbes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Oral bacteria-mediated infections pose significant threats to human health, especially in elderly populations.
- Antimicrobial nanomaterials are being explored for integration into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) to mitigate microbial colonization and associated diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature and determine if graphene oxide incorporated into PMMA influences its antimicrobial activity.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for articles published up to October 2021.
- Search terms included "acrylic resin" OR PMMA, "graphene" OR "oxide graphene", and "antimicrobial" OR "antibacterial" OR "anti-infective agent".
- Risk of bias analysis was performed using an adapted JBI quasi-experimental study assessment tool.
Main Results:
- An initial search yielded 259 articles; after duplicate removal, 245 were screened by title and abstract.
- Six articles proceeded to full-text review, with three ultimately meeting the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the systematic review.
Conclusions:
- The incorporation of graphene, specifically as graphene-based coatings, into PMMA demonstrates significant antimicrobial effectiveness.
- This suggests a promising approach for developing materials to combat oral bacterial infections.
