Tooth-Binding Graphene Quantum Dots Silver Nanocomposites for Prevention of Dental Caries

The objectives of this study were to develop a tooth-binding graphene quantum dots silver nanocomposites (ALN-GQDs-Ag) and evaluate their antibacterial, mineralising, and discolouring properties for the prevention of dental caries.

In this study, ALN-GQDs-Ag were developed by synthesising nano silver (Ag) with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and functionalised GQDs with alendronate (ALN). ALN-GQDs-Ag were characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of ALN-GQDs-Ag against human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) was examined using a colorimetric assay with reference to silver nitrate solution. The affinity of ALN-GQDs-Ag for hydroxyapatite particles was investigated using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP). The antibacterial properties of ALN-GQDs-Ag against Streptococcus mutans were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and colony-forming units counting (CFUs). The mineralisation properties of ALN-GQDs-Ag on human dentine were assessed using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared in a biochemical cycling model. The discolouring properties of ALN-GQDs-Ag on artificial dentine caries were determined using spectrophotometry.

TEM, Zeta potential, XPS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of stable spherical ALN-GQD-Ag nanocomposites with a 10.3 ± 5.5 nm diameter. The colorimetric assay demonstrated that ALN-GQDs-Ag were less cytotoxic than silver nitrate to HGF-1 and SHED (p<0.001). ICP showed that ALN-GQDs-Ag were bound to hydroxyapatite. SEM, CLSM, and CFUs showed that ALN-GQDs-Ag was bactericidal and inhibited biofilm growth of Streptococcus mutans. Micro-CT, SEM, and FTIR showed that ALN-GQDs-Ag repressed dentine demineralisation under a cariogenic challenge. Spectrophotometry revealed no significant discolouration of dentine caries in the ALN-GQDs-Ag.

This study developed a biocompatible and tooth-binding ALN-GQDs-Ag with promising antibacterial, mineralising, and non-discolouring properties. ALN-GQDs-Ag could be a novel anti-caries agent for preventing dentine caries if translated for clinical use.