Antibacterial Effect of Functionalized Polymeric Nanoparticles on Titanium Surfaces Using an In Vitro Subgingival Biofilm Model

This research was funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), grant number (PID2020-114694RB-I00 MINECO/AEI/FEDER/UE). M. Toledano-Osorio holds a FPU fellowship from the Ministry of Universities (FPU20/00450).This investigation aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effect of polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), functionalized with calcium, zinc, or doxycycline, using a subgingival biofilm model of six bacterial species (Streptococcus oralis, Actinomyces naeslundii, Veillonela parvula, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) on sandblasted, large grit, acidetched titanium discs (TiDs). Undoped NPs (Un-NPs) or doped NPs with calcium (Ca-NPs), zinc (Zn-NPs), or doxycycline (Dox-NPs) were applied onto the TiD surfaces. Uncovered TiDs were used as negative controls. Discs were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. The obtained biofilm structure was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and its vitality and thickness by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction of samples was used to evaluate the bacterial load. Data were evaluated by analysis of variance (p < 0.05) and post hoc comparisons with Bonferroni adjustments (p < 0.01). As compared with uncovered TiDs, Dox-NPs induced higher biofilm mortality (47.21% and 85.87%, respectively) and reduced the bacterial load of the tested species, after 72 h. With SEM, scarce biofilm formation was observed in Dox-NPs TiDs. In summary, Dox-NPs on TiD reduced biofilm vitality, bacterial load, and altered biofilm formation dynamics.Spanish GovernmentEuropean Commission PID2020-114694RB-I00 MINECO/AEI/FEDER/UEMinistry of Universities FPU20/0045