Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material

Abstract This study evaluated the mechanical and anti-bacterial properties of photocurable clear aligner resin (TC-85) incorporated with zwitterionic material, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC). Three experimental solutions were synthesized using 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine...

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Main Authors: Youna Paik, You-Min Kim, Youn-Kyung Choi, Sung-Hun Kim, Seong-Sik Kim, Wooil Kim, Yong-Il Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14004-0
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author Youna Paik
You-Min Kim
Youn-Kyung Choi
Sung-Hun Kim
Seong-Sik Kim
Wooil Kim
Yong-Il Kim
author_facet Youna Paik
You-Min Kim
Youn-Kyung Choi
Sung-Hun Kim
Seong-Sik Kim
Wooil Kim
Yong-Il Kim
author_sort Youna Paik
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study evaluated the mechanical and anti-bacterial properties of photocurable clear aligner resin (TC-85) incorporated with zwitterionic material, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC). Three experimental solutions were synthesized using 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and clear aligner resin (TC-85). A group without any experimental solution served as a control. Specimens were fabricated by adding mixture of solutions to customized mold followed by post-curing procedure. Mechanical properties of the experimental groups were evaluated by tensile strength test, three-point flexural test, stress relaxation and creep test. Biological properties were evaluated through colony forming unit assay, MTT assay, and protein adsorption test. Incorporation of MPC into clear aligner resin achieved protein repellent and anti-microbial capabilities without compromising the mechanical properties. Tensile strength and three-point flexural test along with creep, stress relaxation test did not show significant difference in the mechanical properties. Addition of 1%, 2%, or 3% MPC into clear aligner resin significantly reduced the amount of bovine serum albumin adsorbed and proteins adsorbed from brain heart infusion medium by 1/3 ~ 1/4 that of a control (p < 0.001). The mixture of clear aligner resin with 3% MPC inhibited biofilm growth, reducing CFU counts by 40% compared to that of a control. Incorporating zwitterionic material with clear aligner resin TC-85 demonstrated an anti-biofouling activity while preserving its original mechanical properties, which may be a promising strategy to overcome the limitation of current clear aligner treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-a8ef14fb18df40e1a53820835b3d27b42025-08-20T03:42:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-14004-0Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic materialYouna Paik0You-Min Kim1Youn-Kyung Choi2Sung-Hun Kim3Seong-Sik Kim4Wooil Kim5Yong-Il Kim6Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National UniversitySchool of Dentistry, Institute of Dental and Life Sciences, Pusan National UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National UniversitySchool of Dentistry, Institute of Dental and Life Sciences, Pusan National UniversityDepartment of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research Institute, Pusan National UniversityAbstract This study evaluated the mechanical and anti-bacterial properties of photocurable clear aligner resin (TC-85) incorporated with zwitterionic material, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC). Three experimental solutions were synthesized using 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and clear aligner resin (TC-85). A group without any experimental solution served as a control. Specimens were fabricated by adding mixture of solutions to customized mold followed by post-curing procedure. Mechanical properties of the experimental groups were evaluated by tensile strength test, three-point flexural test, stress relaxation and creep test. Biological properties were evaluated through colony forming unit assay, MTT assay, and protein adsorption test. Incorporation of MPC into clear aligner resin achieved protein repellent and anti-microbial capabilities without compromising the mechanical properties. Tensile strength and three-point flexural test along with creep, stress relaxation test did not show significant difference in the mechanical properties. Addition of 1%, 2%, or 3% MPC into clear aligner resin significantly reduced the amount of bovine serum albumin adsorbed and proteins adsorbed from brain heart infusion medium by 1/3 ~ 1/4 that of a control (p < 0.001). The mixture of clear aligner resin with 3% MPC inhibited biofilm growth, reducing CFU counts by 40% compared to that of a control. Incorporating zwitterionic material with clear aligner resin TC-85 demonstrated an anti-biofouling activity while preserving its original mechanical properties, which may be a promising strategy to overcome the limitation of current clear aligner treatment.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14004-0Clear alignerAntibacterial2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholineBiofilm
spellingShingle Youna Paik
You-Min Kim
Youn-Kyung Choi
Sung-Hun Kim
Seong-Sik Kim
Wooil Kim
Yong-Il Kim
Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material
Scientific Reports
Clear aligner
Antibacterial
2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine
Biofilm
title Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material
title_full Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material
title_fullStr Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material
title_full_unstemmed Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material
title_short Enhanced anti-microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material
title_sort enhanced anti microbial properties of clear aligner resin containing zwitterionic material
topic Clear aligner
Antibacterial
2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine
Biofilm
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14004-0
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