Thermo-polymerizable acrylic enriched with copper nanoparticles: Antibacterial and cytotoxic evaluation

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the bacterial inhibition on S. aureus, E. coli and E. faecalis, as well as the cytotoxicity of thermo–polymerizable acrylic (pmma) enriched with copper nanoparticles (Cu nps) on human gingival fibroblasts. Cu nps are an area of interest in dentistry especially for its potential antibacterial effect. pmma is one of the materials whose use is very widespread in current dental practice, but it has bacterial and fungal proliferation, which is why it is necessary to look for new strategies for its improvement. The data obtained in the present study show that the incorporation of Cu nps in the surface of the pmma improves its antibacterial properties, either through the inhibition of the bacterial growth, as well as in the bacterial adhesion to its surface. In addition, it exhibits adequate cytotoxicity since it turned out to be light to moderate. Due to the above, this material could be an option to be used in removable prosthesis bases of thermocurable pmma.