Inhibitory effect of Ti-Ag alloy on artificial biofilm formation

• Published in: Dental Materials Journal Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 389 - 393
• Main Authors: NAKAJO, Kazuko, TAKAHASHI, Masatoshi, KIKUCHI, Masafumi, TAKADA, Yukyo, OKUNO, Osamu, SASAKI, Keiichi, TAKAHASHI, Nobuhiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Japanese Society for Dental Materials and Devices 2014; Japanese Society for Dental Materials and Devices
• Subjects: Alloying additive; Alloys; Anti-adhesion; Anti-biofilm; Antibacterial activity; Bacteria; Biofilms; Dentistry; Metal plates; Mutans streptococci; Silver; Silver - chemistry; Streptococcus; Ti-Ag alloy; Titanium - chemistry; Titanium base alloys
• ISSN: 0287-4547; 1881-1361
• DOI: 10.4012/dmj.2013-334

Titanium-silver (Ti-Ag) alloy has been improved for machinability and mechanical properties, but its anti-biofilm properties have not been elucidated yet. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of Ti-Ag alloy on biofilm formation and bacterial viability in comparison with pure Ti, pure Ag and silver-palladium (Ag-Pd) alloy. Biofilm formation on the metal plates was evaluated by growing Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in the presence of metal plates. Bactericidal activity was evaluated using a film contact method. There were no significant differences in biofilm formation between pure Ti, pure Ag and Ag-Pd alloy, while biofilm amounts on Ti-20% Ag and Ti-25% Ag alloys were significantly lower (p<0.05). In addition, Ti-Ag alloys and pure Ti were not bactericidal, although pure Ag and Ag-Pd alloy killed bacteria. These results suggest that Ti-20% Ag and Ti-25% Ag alloys are suitable for dental material that suppresses biofilm formation without disturbing healthy oral microflora.