Abstract
BACKGROUND: Microbial and fungal growth, particularly Candida albicans, is a major issue with the usage of maxillofacial silicone material, which can lead to chronic infection, inflammation, and silicone material degradation, for which the development of an antimicrobial silicone elastomer has become crucial. METHODOLOGY: This study was designed to determine the efficacy of adding chitosan nanoparticles (1.5%, 3%, and 5% by weight) to silicone matrix on antifungal activity. Eighty specimens were fabricated with varying concentrations of chitosan and separated into four groups [C1 (control), C2 (1.5%wt chitosan reinforced silicone), C3 (3%wt chitosan/silicone), and C4 (5%wt chitosan/silicone)]. An antifungal test was conducted on each group. RESULTS: The inhibition zone was concentration dependent in antifungal tests; as the concentration increased, the inhibition zone grew as well. CONCLUSION: Improvement in the antifungal activity of silicone was demonstrated when chitosan nanoparticles were incorporated.