Antibacterial Effect of Zirconia Nanoparticles on Polyethyl Methacrylate Resin for Provisional Crowns

Hee-Seon Kim,1,* Woohyung Jang,1,* Yeong-Gwan Im,2 Hyun-Pil Lim1 1Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea; 2Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hyun-Pil Lim, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea, Tel +82-62-530-5577, Email mcnihil@jnu.ac.kr Yeong-Gwan Im, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea, Tel +82-62-530-5578, Email imygwise@jnu.ac.krObjective: Mid-to-long term use of provisional crowns in the oral cavity is associated with bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, thus necessitating provisional crowns exhibiting antibacterial properties to prevent the occurrence of gingivitis and periodontal disease. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effect of zirconia nanoparticle-containing polyethyl methacrylate (PEMA) resin for provisional restorations.Methods: Zirconia nanoparticles were added to the monomer of PEMA resin for provisional restorations, and the mixture was stirred for 2 h using a magnetic stirrer. Disk-shaped specimens were prepared by mixing the polymer with the nanoparticle solution. The control group contained pure PEMA resin samples, and the experimental groups Group Z2, Group Z4, and Group Z8 included PEMA resin specimens containing 2, 4, and 8% w/v zirconia nanoparticles, respectively. After analyzing the sample surfaces, the antibacterial effect of the specimens was evaluated using Streptococcus mutans. Statistical analysis was performed using Tukey’s test and Mann–Whitney U-test, according to the normality result in the Shapiro–Wilk test.Results: FE-SEM and EDX analyses revealed the successful addition of zirconia nanoparticles. Results showed no sig