Antifungal Effect of Silver Nano Particles Coating on Denture Base Specimens Made of Acrylic Resin

OBJECTIVE: The present study was under taken to determine the anti-fungal effect of Silver Nano partial coating in concentrations of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1% on heat cure acrylic denture through diffusion disc method. Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) or simply acrylic is most commonly used material for construction of complete dentures. Denture stomatitis is an inflammatory disorder of oral mucosa, frequently observed in denture wearers. The unpolished intaglio surface of PMMA base dentures coupled with adverse conditions such as poor hygiene, dry mouth and compromised immune system leads to denture related stomatitis in 50-70% of complete denture wearers. Antifungal agents such as silver have been added to acrylic denture bases to in part self-disinfect property. METHODOLOGY: The supplied modeling wax sheet was cut in to 25 specimens of dimensions 10x10x 2mm with help of wax knife. The wax sheet was invested in stone plaster with in metal flask using open flasking method for mould formation. Heat cured acrylic resin polymer and monomer (Meadway Royale Heat Cure, MR. Dental, and UK) was mixed according to manufacturer's instructions of 2.5gm powder to 1ml monomer. The mixed acrylic was packed in dough stage followed by pressure packing in hydraulic bench press for 30 minutes under 9.8 MPa. Curing was done by placing the flask in water at room temperature until boiling. It remained in boiling water for 45 minutes and then allowed to cool down in water bath. A total of 25 acrylic plates were recovered from the flask and divided into five groups. Group A have no coating , group B coated with 0.1% sliver nano particles, group C coated with 0.2% silver nano particles, group D coated with 0.5% silver nano particles and group E coated with 1% silver nano particles solution. Each specimen was cut in to 6mm disc by Laser Engraving Machine. These discs were utilized for calculating zone of inhibition through diffusion disc method in agar media. RESULTS: The diameter of zone of inhibition increased with the increasing concentrations of silver nano particles. When the concentration of silver nano particles was 1%, the zone of inhibition size was maximum (20.48mm). When the concentration was 0.1%, the size of zone of inhibition was minimum (10.02mm) .This difference was statistically found to be highly significant (0.005). CONCLUSION: This study results demonstrate that silver nano-particles have good antifungal activity against Candida Albicans when used as surface coating. This antifungal property is directly influenced by the concentration of silver nano particles used. KEY WORDS: Antifungal property, Silver nano particles (AgNPs), Candida Albicans (CA).