Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial properties and surface roughness of four maxillofacial prosthetic materials

The adherence of microorganisms to the surfaces of maxillofacial prosthetic materials can cause surrounding tissue infections leading to discomfort, irritation and infection. It is therefore beneficial if maxillofacial prosthetic materials possess antimicrobial effects or resist microbial adherence. The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial effect, surface roughness and microbial adherence of a locally produced modified polymethyl methacrylate maxillofacial prosthetic material with a commercially produced polymethyl methacrylate and two silicone elastomers against three microorganisms.

Four study groups were formed, each with 10 samples (n = 10): modified polymethyl methacrylate (m-PMMA), commercially produced polymethyl methacrylate (c-PMMA), silicone A-2000 (A-2000), and silicone A-2186 (A-2186). The microorganisms tested against the four prosthetic materials were Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), and Candida albicans (C. albicans). The antimicrobial effect, microbial adherence and surface roughness were assessed and scanning electron microscopy images examined surface roughness and microbial adherence.

None of the tested materials showed antimicrobial activity against the evaluated microbial strains. Microbial adherence was significantly higher on silicone elastomers, with greater colony-forming units of both S. aureus and S. mutans compared to PMMA (p < 0.017). No significant difference was observed in C. albicans adherence between the silicone elastomers and PMMA. Surface roughness analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between PMMA and silicone elastomers (p < 0.05), with the silicones exhibiting greater roughness.

The fillers in m-PMMA may inhibit the release of antimicrobial agents. The locally produced m-PMMA demonstrated less microbial adherence in comparison to other tested materials.

The locally produced m-PMMA was associated with less microbial adherence in comparison to other tested materials and has potential to reduce the risk of infection.