Evaluation of Mechanical Properties and Antibacterial Activity of Nano Titania-Enriched Alkasite Restorative Material: An In Vitro Study

A biocompatible additive with the ability to establish antibacterial action for restorative materials without sacrificing their physical properties is always in demand. Nano titania (TiO₂ nanoparticles) was shown to have antimicrobial action against a wide range of microorganisms. Alkasite is a modern esthetic restorative material that has outstanding properties; however, it is deficient in antibacterial activity.

TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were included in alkasite, and both mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of the new formulations were assessed.

Nano titania powder was coupled to alkasite powder in proportions of 3 and 5% (w/w). There were 105 specimens made in total. Evaluation parameters were compressive strength, surface microhardness, surface roughness, water sorption and solubility, and antibacterial activity. One and two-way ANOVA were used for the statistical analysis, followed by Tukey′s test (p<0.05).

Both ratios of nano titania, 3 and 5% (w/w), significantly increased compressive strength, antibacterial activity against different pathogens, and decreased water solubility of alkasite (p<0.05). Only 5% (w/w) nano titania-modified alkasite exhibited significant decrease in water sorption (p<0.05). Conversely, an insignificant increase in microhardness and surface roughness was observed with both ratios, 3 and 5% (w/w) of nano titania (p˃0.05).

Nano titania seems to be a very promising complementary additive to the alkasite restorative material, capable of generating considerable antibacterial effectiveness while also enhancing certain mechanical properties.