1. Enhanced mechanical properties, anti-biofilm activity, and cytocompatibility of a methacrylate-based polymer loaded with native multiwalled carbon nanotubes
- Author
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Ricardo Antonio Alpino Rodrigues, Rosangela Maria Ferreira da Costa e Silva, Luiza de Almeida Queiroz Ferreira, Natália Tavares Teixeira Branco, Érick de Souza Ávila, Anderson Maia Peres, Weslley Fernandes-Braga, Augusto César Sette-Dias, Ângela Leão Andrade, Regina Guenka Palma-Dibb, Cláudia Silami de Magalhães, Luiz Orlando Ladeira, Rodrigo Richard da Silveira, Allyson Nogueira Moreira, Paulo Antônio Martins Júnior, Mônica Yamauti, and Ivana Márcia Alves Diniz
- Subjects
Biomaterials ,Mechanics of Materials ,Biomedical Engineering - Abstract
We aimed to optimize the mechanical and biological properties of a conventional methacrylate-based dental polymer by loading it with double- and triple-walled carbon nanotubes as growth (DTWCNTG).A formulation of bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (mass ratio = 2:1) was mixed with DTWCNTG at concentrations of 0.0% (control), 0.001%, 0.005%, and 0.010%. The concentrations were physicochemical and morphologically evaluated, and antibacterial activity was assessed by seeding a Streptococcus mutans strain (ATCC 25175) on the experimental polymeric surfaces. Cellular survival and osteodifferentiation were evaluated in epithelial (HaCat) and preosteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1).The 0.001% DTWCNTG concentration yielded higher compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, water sorption, and solubility than the control. The degree of conversion and color did not significantly change with a low amount of DTWCNTG incorporated into the polymer. Antibacterial activity significantly improved when tested on the 0.001% DTWCNTG discs. No groups showed cytotoxicity in a short-term analysis and adding DTWCNTG favored MC3T3-E1 mineralization over the control, particularly in the 0.001% formulation.The micro-addition of 0.001% DTWCNTG confers mechanical resistance, antimicrobial properties, and bioactivity to methacrylate-based polymers without significantly compromising color. Incorporating DTWCNTG improved dental composite properties and could be a biomodified material for minimally invasive procedures.
- Published
- 2022