Synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial activity of a β‑AgVO₃ coating applied to dental acrylic resin.

OBJECTIVES

This study developed an antimicrobial polymer coating of β‑AgVO₃ on acrylic resin disks to prevent denture stomatitis and other oral microbial infections.

METHODS

The nanomaterial was synthesized by precipitation reaction between silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and ammonium metavanadate (NH₄VO₃). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed against S. mutans, C. albicans, C. glabrata, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Disks (Ø 9 mm × 2 mm) made of self-curing acrylic resin (SC) and heat-curing acrylic resin (HC) were created, with eight groups established based on MIC concentration: SCC, SC-MIC, SC-5MIC, SC-10MIC, HCC, HC-MIC, HC-5MIC, and HC-10MIC. Physical characterization of surface topography, chemical composition, chemical interaction, Ag and V release, wettability, roughness, hardness, and color change was conducted. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by colony‑forming unit counts (CFU) and metabolic activity quantification (XTT) in two multispecies biofilm models.

RESULTS

The specimens were coated with β-AgVO3, and FTIR and SEM/EDS analyses confirmed the presence of the material. Results for color change, roughness, wettability, and hardness indicated unsatisfactory coating performance. Additionally, ionic release tests showed low ion concentrations, in agreement with the absence of antimicrobial activity observed.

CONCLUSION

Under the evaluated conditions, the coating methodology employed was not effective for antimicrobial purposes.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Under the evaluated conditions, the technique is not viable for preventing denture stomatitis or other oral infections associated with biofilms on acrylic prostheses.