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    Silver nanoparticles penetration in dentin: Implications for long-term caries arrestment

    Year: 2022

    Journal: Materialia, Volume 24, AUG

    Authors: Andrade, Maria Clara Mueller de; Rosenblatt, Aronita; Galembeck, Andre

    Organizations: laboratory of X-rays computed tomography (LTC-RX) from the department of nuclear energy (UFPE); CAPES

    Keywords: Silver nanoparticles; Dentin; Caries arrestment; Focused-ion beam; Electron microscopy; Nanotechnology

    The effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a caries arrestment agent was demonstrated in clinical trials some years ago; however, the mechanisms underlying their action remain unclear. It was hypothesized that the AgNPs could penetrate the dentinal tubules, contributing to their enduring cariostatic activity. The experiments were carried out with teeth samples with the incisal coronal third removed with a rotating diamond disk, exposing the dentin beneath the enamel to simulate shallow occlusal caries lesions. The dentin surfaces were treated with two different AgNP colloids: (i) spherical nanoparticles (7.5 nm) and (ii) a mixture of spherical (24.3 nm), triangular (33.8 nm), and rod-shaped (40.1/18.8 nm) nanoparticles. The samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focused-ion beam SEM (FIB-SEM), allowing for the observation of the inner areas of the dentin. It was observed that AgNPs are able to penetrate dentinal tubules and adhere to their walls. The depth depends on the exposure time of the dentin surface to the colloid and the average nanoparticle size. The smaller the nanoparticles and the longer the exposure time, the deeper their penetration. At maximum, the AgNPs were detected up to 362.1 inm from the surface. The total silver amount in the sub-surface intra-tubular dentin was estimated to be within the concentration range expected to inhibit bacterial growth. The maximum penetration depth detected is shallow enough to avoid AgNP contact with the dental pulp.
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