Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide promising aesthetic antimicrobial filler in dental polymers: Study

N-doped TiO2 exhibits broad absorption in the visible region, which can allow the utilization of a large part of the solar spectrum. This might be useful for environmental and energy applications, such as the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants, solar cells, sensors, and water splitting reactions.

A group of researchers conducted a study to develop an aesthetic resin composite using a nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) filler that possesses antimicrobial properties against cariogenic bacteria.

Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) powder was manufactured by calcining commercial TiO2 with urea. Free radical release from the N-TiO2 powder under visible light irradiation was analysed using UV-V is spectrophotometry. The Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) powder was incorporated into a dental resin and the photocatalytic activity was assessed using a dye under both visible light and dark conditions. Using XTT assay to measure the cellular metabolic activity, the antibacterial properties of the Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) /resin composite discs were tested using Streptococcus mutans.

The Results of the study are:

Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) resulted in a bandgap shift towards the visible light spectrum, which enabled the powder to release reactive oxygen species when exposed to visible light. When incorporated into a dental resin, the Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) /resin composite still demonstrated sustained release of reactive oxygen species, maintaining its photocatalytic activity and showing an antibacterial effect towards Streptococcus mutans under visible light conditions.

Thus, the researchers concluded that Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (NTiO2) filled resin composite shows great promise as a potential aesthetic resin-based adhesive for orthodontic bonding.

Reference:

Nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide as an aesthetic antimicrobial filler in dental polymers by N.A.Ahmad Fauzi et al. published in the journal- Dental Materials.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0109564121003134