Effect of the incorporation of sodium trimetaphosphate, hydroxyapatite and niobium pentoxide nanoparticles on the physical, mechanical, biological, and antimicrobial properties of resin-based orthodontic composites

• Grant number: 24/08645-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Diego Girotto Bussaneli
• Grantee: Lizandra Oliveira Cunha
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

As the use of orthodontic aligners becomes more widespread, patients face additional challenges in maintaining effective oral hygiene, which promotes the buildup of opportunistic microorganisms in the oral cavity. Consequently, controlling pathogenic biofilm formation and preventing enamel demineralization have become increasing challenges for orthodontists in their clinical practice. With the advancement of research in the field of nanobiotechnology, it has been observed that incorporating nanomaterials with antimicrobial activity into resin composites used for bonding orthodontic accessories has proven to be a viable and cost-effective alternative for biofilm control during orthodontic treatment. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of incorporating hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (NPHA), nanoparticulate sodium trimetaphosphate (nano TMP), and nanoparticulate niobium pentoxide (nano Nb2O5) into a composite resin used for making attachments, focusing on its physical, mechanical, biological, and antimicrobial properties. The present project consists of 2 phases, the first of which includes the preparation of specimens, followed by tests for degree of conversion, antimicrobial activity, ion release, cytotoxicity, and color change. After screening the materials submitted to this phase of the study, the second phase will be conducted through surface roughness tests, microhardness, shear bond strength, and scanning electron microscopy, where, in addition to the specimens, bovine teeth will be used for making and bonding orthodontic attachments. Finally, the collected data will be subjected to specific statistical analyses after checking for the type of normality distribution (Shapiro-Wilk) and homogeneity of variances (Levene). Statistical inferences will be made considering a 5% significance level.