The Effect of Silver Nanoparticle Addition on the Antimicrobial Properties of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Used for Fabrication of Dental Appliances: A Systematic Review.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is widely used in modern dentistry, particularly in prosthodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery. To improve the properties of PMMA, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are incorporated to enhance the antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects of this material. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of AgNPs as an additive to PMMA. Medical databases covered by the ACM, BASE, PubMed, and Scopus engines were searched. Of the 670 identified records, 23 studies were included that assessed the antibacterial and antifungal properties gained by incorporating AgNPs into PMMA. All of the studies included also contained a control group-PMMA without additives. Studies that evaluated nanoparticles other than AgNPs or materials other than PMMA were excluded. The data collected from the articles included the size and concentration of the nanoparticles, the method of sample preparation, sample size, information on the effect of nanoparticles on antimicrobial properties, and the contact time between the sample and the test tube containing fungi or bacteria. The data were presented in tables and graphs. The analysis indicated that increasing the weight percent concentration of AgNPs or extending the incubation time increases the antifungal efficacy. The result of Tau Kendall correlation showed that the pairs of data, concentration/incubation time and outcomes, are inversely proportional for fungi (p < 0.01). The results of the study are not entirely conclusive. Some limitations suggest the need for more standardized studies, which ideally should be conducted on human research groups and followed by a study of these properties and their effects on the human body. This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The protocol was submitted to the Open Science Framework Registries (1 December 2024).