Iron and Magnesium Co-substituted Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles in Orthodontic Composite: A Preliminary Assessment

Aim The study aims to characterize Fe and Mg co-substituted hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (FeMgHAPn) and assess the antimicrobial properties of FeMgHAPn-incorporated orthodontic composite. Materials and methods FeMgHAPn was synthesized using the sol-gel method, and the prepared nanoparticle powder was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX)) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. The FeMgHAPn was incorporated into a commercially available orthodontic composite in two concentrations (40 and 20 μL), and the structure was examined using SEM. The FeMgHAPn-incorporated composite was tested for its antimicrobial efficacy against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli using the agar-well diffusion method. The zones of inhibition (ZOI) were measured in millimeters (mm). Results The characterization of the FeMgHAPn indicated the successful formation of the nanoparticle without any impurities or byproducts. The high concentration (40 μL) of FeMgHAPn-incorporated orthodontic composite showed the maximum ZOI against all three microbes, followed by the low concentration (20 μL) and the control group. Conclusion The FeMgHAPn-incorporated orthodontic composite showed promising antimicrobial activity against caries-causing S. mutans, S. aureus, and E. coli.