An oral environmental responsive complex with mineralisation-antibacterial dual-activities for the prevention and treatment of early dental caries

IF 5.5 2区医学 Q1 DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE

Journal of dentistry Pub Date : 2025-08-28 DOI:10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106068

Yu Wang , Haowen Huang , Sihan Qian, Chang Xu, Qingli Zhou, Chris Ying Cao

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to develop an oral environment-responsive complex with mineralisation-antibacterial dual-activities for preventing and treating early dental caries.

Methods

The complex was synthesized with phosphorylated starch serving as a template to stabilize calcium phosphate prenucleation clusters (CaP-PNCs) and silver nanoclusters (AgNCs). The binding properties of the complex on human enamel were evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Antibacterial efficacy against Streptococcus mutans, including both planktonic bacteria and biofilms, was assessed through colony counting, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and live/dead staining. Remineralization effects on artificially demineralized enamel were analyzed using SEM, CLSM, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Cytotoxicity on MC3T3 cells was tested using CCK-8 assays.

Results

The CaP-PNCs/AgNCs complex demonstrated strong binding to human enamel. In the presence of α-amylase, the complex exhibited potent antibacterial effects, achieving a 90% reduction in planktonic Streptococcus mutans viability and significantly disrupted biofilms. Remineralization assays showed a 70–100 μm hydroxyapatite layer resembling natural enamel in structure and composition. Notably, the complex maintained effective remineralization capabilities even under cariogenic bacterial challenge. Cytotoxicity evaluations on MC3T3 cells indicated no adverse effects on viability.

Conclusion

This complex enables targeted antibacterial action and biomimetic mineralization through responsively release of AgNCs and CaP-PNCs in oral environment, simultaneously addressing biofilm disruption and promoting enamel regeneration for the treatment of early caries.

Clinical Significance

The oral environmental responsive design provides a minimally invasive strategy to repair demineralized enamel while suppressing pathogenic biofilms, bridging non-invasive prevention and structural restoration in caries management.

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一种具有矿化-抗菌双重活性的口腔环境反应复合物，用于预防和治疗早期龋病。

目的：研究一种具有矿化-抗菌双重活性的口腔环境响应复合物，用于防治早期龋病。方法：以磷酸化淀粉为模板合成磷酸钙预成核团簇（cap - pnc）和银纳米团簇（agnc）的配合物。用共聚焦激光扫描显微镜（CLSM）研究了该配合物与人牙釉质的结合特性。通过菌落计数、扫描电镜（SEM）和活/死染色来评估对变形链球菌（包括浮游细菌和生物膜）的抗菌效果。采用扫描电镜（SEM）、CLSM和能谱仪（EDS）分析人工脱矿牙釉质的再矿化效果。CCK-8法检测MC3T3细胞的细胞毒性。结果：CaP-PNCs/AgNCs复合物与人牙釉质有较强的结合。在α-淀粉酶存在下，该复合物表现出强大的抗菌作用，使浮游变形链球菌的活力降低90%，并显著破坏生物膜。再矿化实验显示，70 ~ 100 μm羟基磷灰石层在结构和组成上与天然牙釉质相似。值得注意的是，即使在致龋细菌的挑战下，该复合物也保持了有效的再矿化能力。MC3T3细胞的细胞毒性评价显示对细胞活力无不良影响。结论：该复合物通过在口腔环境中响应性释放agnc和cap - pnc，实现靶向抗菌和仿生矿化，同时解决生物膜破坏问题，促进牙釉质再生，治疗早期龋病。临床意义：口腔环境响应设计为龋病治疗提供了一种微创修复脱矿牙釉质的策略，同时抑制病原生物膜，架起无创预防和结构修复的桥梁。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of dentistry 医学-牙科与口腔外科

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

11.40%

发文量

349

审稿时长

35 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Dentistry has an open access mirror journal The Journal of Dentistry: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. The Journal of Dentistry is the leading international dental journal within the field of Restorative Dentistry. Placing an emphasis on publishing novel and high-quality research papers, the Journal aims to influence the practice of dentistry at clinician, research, industry and policy-maker level on an international basis. Topics covered include the management of dental disease, periodontology, endodontology, operative dentistry, fixed and removable prosthodontics, dental biomaterials science, long-term clinical trials including epidemiology and oral health, technology transfer of new scientific instrumentation or procedures, as well as clinically relevant oral biology and translational research. The Journal of Dentistry will publish original scientific research papers including short communications. It is also interested in publishing review articles and leaders in themed areas which will be linked to new scientific research. Conference proceedings are also welcome and expressions of interest should be communicated to the Editor.