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The current work focuses on the development of a novel electrospun silk fibroin (SF) nonwoven mat as a GTR membrane with antibacterial, biomineralization and biocompatible properties. The gamma-poly glutamic acid (gamma-PGA)-capped nano silver fluoride (NSF) and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) were first synthesized, which were dip-coated onto electrospun silk fibroin mats (NSF-SF and SDF-SF). UV-Vis spectroscopy and TEM depicted the formation of silver nanoparticles. NSF-SF and SDF-SF demonstrated antibacterial properties (against Porphyromonas gingivalis) with 3.1 and 6.7 folds higher relative to SF, respectively. Post-mineralization in simulated body fluid, the NSF-SF effectively promoted apatite precipitation (Ca/P similar to 1.67), while the SDF-SF depicted deposition of silver nanoparticles, assessed by SEM-EDS. According to the FTIR-ATR deconvolution analysis, NSF-SF portrayed similar to 75% estimated hydroxyapatite crystallinity index (CI), whereas pure SF and SDF-SF demonstrated similar to 60%. The biocompatibility of NSF-SF was similar to 82% when compared to the control, while SDF-coated samples revealed in vitro cytotoxicity, further needing in vivo studies for a definite conclusion. Furthermore, the NSF-SF revealed the highest tensile strength of 0.32 N/mm and 1.76% elongation at break. Therefore, it is substantiated that the novel bioactive and antibacterial NSF-SF membranes can serve as a potential candidate, shedding light on further in-depth analysis for GTR applications.

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is widely used in various dental endodontic applications such as root-end filling, furcal perforation repair, and vital pulp therapy. In spite of many attempts to improve handling properties and reduce the discoloration of MTA, the ideal root canal filling material has yet to be fully developed. The objective of this study was to investigate the setting time, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of MTA set by a silk fibroin solution. A 5 wt% silk fibroin (SF) solution (a novel hydration accelerant) was used to set SavDen&reg, MTA and ProRoot&reg, white MTA (WMTA). Changes in setting time, diametral tensile strength (DTS), material crystallization, in vitro cell viability, and cell morphology were assessed by Vicat needle measurement, a universal testing machine, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and WST-1 assay, respectively. The initial setting time of ProRoot&reg, MTA and SavDen&reg, MTA experienced a drastic decrease of 83.9% and 42.1% when deionized water was replaced by 5 wt% SF solution as the liquid phase. The DTS of SavDen&reg, MTA showed a significant increase after set by the SF solution in 24 h. A human osteoblast-like cell (MG-63)-based WST-1 assay revealed that both ProRoot&reg, MTA hydrated using SF solution did not significantly differ (p &gt, 0.05) in cell viability. MG-63 cells with pseudopodia attachments and nuclear protrusions represent a healthier and more adherent status on the surface of MTA when set with SF solution. The results suggest that the 5 wt% SF solution may be used as an alternative hydration accelerant for MTA in endodontic applications.