Nanoparticles and Inert Coating Materials: A Potential Enhancer of Antimicrobial Property of Polymethyl-Methacrylate (PMMA) Based Denture

Oral health is one of the significant determinants of general health, happiness and life quality. Dental caries, oro-dental trauma, periodontal disease and birth abnormalities including cleft lip and palate are among the reasons for tooth loss. High prevalence of tooth loss is the major cause of morbidity due to oral diseases in low and middle-income countries (WHO report,). Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) bases are the preferred option for replacing missing teeth because of its biocompatibility, stability, easy handling, and low toxicity. Though PMMA is the most preferable material for denture preparation, lack of antimicrobial potential, thermal conductivity and radiopacity limits its diverse application. Seminal findings have shown, incorporation of certain nanoparticles may increase the antimicrobial potential, thermal conductivity and radiopacity of the PMMA. In the current review, we have elucidated light on the antimicrobial potential of PMMA based on the available information. We also focused on the current advancement and strategy regarding the improvement of antimicrobial potential of PMMA and other base materials. The information has been collected from published article available on PubMed up to 31 May 2022. The available studies supported that the antimicrobial property of PMMA can be improved by incorporation of nanoparticles such as graphene silver nanoparticles, TiO2, ZnO, SiO2/Ag These nanoparticles have been found to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fuorescense. In addition to nanoparticles, inert coating materials such as ammonium chitosan, sodium alginate, bioactive glass, chlorhexidine and organoselenium can be incorporated to enhance the antimicrobial properties of PMMA base denture material as well as inert coating material can be used to prevent the metal ion toxicity and a probable vehicle to leach the desired product at targeted site.