Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to test a new disinfection technology using biomimetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) with peroxidaselike activity to enhance antibacterial activity on root canal surfaces and in dentinal tubules. METHODS: The canal surfaces and dentinal tubules of single-rooted intact extracted teeth were infected by growing Enterococcus faecalis biofilms for 3 weeks. The samples were divided into 6 treatment groups: (1) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (negative control), (2) 3% hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) (test control), (3) IO-NPs (0.5 mg/mL) (test control), (4) IO-NPs (0.5 mg/mL) + 3% H(2)O(2), (5) 3% sodium hypochlorite (positive control), and (6) 2% chlorhexidine (positive control). Environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy was used to confirm IO-NPs binding to the canal surface after a single treatment. Specimens were labeled with fluorescent staining for live/dead cells, and confocal laser scanning microscopy was used for the quantification of dead bacteria relative to the negative control (PBS). RESULTS: Both biofilm formation and dentinal tubule infection were successfully recapitulated using the in vitro model. IO-NPs were capable of binding to the infected canal surfaces despite a single, short-term (5-minute) treatment. IO-NP activation of H(2)O(2) killed significantly more E. faecalis present on the canal surfaces and at different depths of dentinal tubules when compared with all other experimental groups (P < .05-.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The results reveal the potential to exploit nanocatalysts with enzymelike activity as a potent alternative approach for the treatment of endodontic infections.