Physical Properties of New Silica-Based Denture Surface Coating

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Microbiology
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Denture stomatitis is a prevalent oral condition linked to microbial colonization on denture surfaces.
• Current strategies often involve incorporating antimicrobials directly into denture resins, with limited success in long-term prevention.
• Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) is a common denture base material susceptible to microbial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a novel surface coating for PMMA denture materials incorporating the natural antimicrobial hinokitiol.
• To investigate the mechanism of hinokitiol release from the developed silica-resin coating.
• To evaluate the potential of this coating as a strategy for preventing denture-related infections.

Main Methods:

• A silica-resin layer containing hinokitiol was formed on PMMA surfaces via an immersion process.
• X-ray and neutron reflectivity techniques were employed to analyze the coating structure and hinokitiol distribution.
• Time-dependent neutron reflectivity was used to study the desorption kinetics of hinokitiol from the coating.

Main Results:

• A uniform silica-resin layer incorporating significant amounts of hinokitiol was successfully formed on PMMA.
• Two distinct hinokitiol desorption behaviors were identified: rapid desorption near the surface and slow desorption near the PMMA interface.
• Hydrogen bonding within the silica-resin nanopores was found to facilitate the controlled release of hinokitiol.

Conclusions:

• The study presents a novel surface coating technique for PMMA that enables controlled release of the antimicrobial hinokitiol.
• This method offers a promising strategy for developing effective preventative measures against microbial infections associated with denture use.
• The findings highlight the potential of hinokitiol-loaded silica-resin coatings for enhancing denture hygiene and patient health.