Exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms

Abstract Background The development of nanoparticles offers promising potential for improving biofilm management; however, the biofilm itself acts as a diffusion barrier, limiting effective treatment. This study aimed to investigate the adsorption and diffusion of nanoparticles in an intraorally for...

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Main Authors: Anton Schestakow, Maria Riegelmann, Matthias Hannig
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Oral Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06703-x
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author Anton Schestakow
Maria Riegelmann
Matthias Hannig
author_facet Anton Schestakow
Maria Riegelmann
Matthias Hannig
author_sort Anton Schestakow
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The development of nanoparticles offers promising potential for improving biofilm management; however, the biofilm itself acts as a diffusion barrier, limiting effective treatment. This study aimed to investigate the adsorption and diffusion of nanoparticles in an intraorally formed biofilm. Methods Bovine enamel specimens (n = 24) were mounted on customized maxillary splints and worn intraorally by two subjects for 24 h to allow biofilm formation. Specimens not exposed to the oral cavity served as controls (n = 12). Ex vivo, 20 nm gold nanoparticles with a low-charge polymer outer layer were applied to the biofilm for 10 to 30 min, followed by either a single wash, 20 washes with water, or 24 h of water storage. The outer surface and basal layer of the biofilm were analysed using scanning electron microscopy, while cross-sections were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Results After 24 h of intraoral exposure, enamel was covered by a globular-structured pellicle with bacterial adhesion and occasional biofilm formation, more pronounced in subject 2. Both facilitated nanoparticle adsorption, which increased with exposure time and remained detectable after 20 washes. In subject 2, distinctly more nanoparticles persisted after 24 h of water storage. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed outer surface retention without penetration into deeper biofilm layers. Conclusions The diffusion of 20 nm nanoparticles in dental biofilms appears limited, leaving open questions regarding the optimal nanoparticle size for effective biofilm management and their toxicological implications.
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publishDate 2025-08-01
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spelling doaj-art-cf0a3f7cc83442a699bd7332ca1ca8ca2025-08-24T11:55:06ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-08-0125111010.1186/s12903-025-06703-xExploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilmsAnton Schestakow0Maria Riegelmann1Matthias Hannig2Clinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, Saarland UniversityClinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, Saarland UniversityClinic of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, University Hospital, Saarland UniversityAbstract Background The development of nanoparticles offers promising potential for improving biofilm management; however, the biofilm itself acts as a diffusion barrier, limiting effective treatment. This study aimed to investigate the adsorption and diffusion of nanoparticles in an intraorally formed biofilm. Methods Bovine enamel specimens (n = 24) were mounted on customized maxillary splints and worn intraorally by two subjects for 24 h to allow biofilm formation. Specimens not exposed to the oral cavity served as controls (n = 12). Ex vivo, 20 nm gold nanoparticles with a low-charge polymer outer layer were applied to the biofilm for 10 to 30 min, followed by either a single wash, 20 washes with water, or 24 h of water storage. The outer surface and basal layer of the biofilm were analysed using scanning electron microscopy, while cross-sections were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Results After 24 h of intraoral exposure, enamel was covered by a globular-structured pellicle with bacterial adhesion and occasional biofilm formation, more pronounced in subject 2. Both facilitated nanoparticle adsorption, which increased with exposure time and remained detectable after 20 washes. In subject 2, distinctly more nanoparticles persisted after 24 h of water storage. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed outer surface retention without penetration into deeper biofilm layers. Conclusions The diffusion of 20 nm nanoparticles in dental biofilms appears limited, leaving open questions regarding the optimal nanoparticle size for effective biofilm management and their toxicological implications.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06703-xBiofilmsNanoparticlesElectron microscopyDental enamelDental pelliclePreventive dentistry
spellingShingle Anton Schestakow
Maria Riegelmann
Matthias Hannig
Exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms
BMC Oral Health
Biofilms
Nanoparticles
Electron microscopy
Dental enamel
Dental pellicle
Preventive dentistry
title Exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms
title_full Exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms
title_fullStr Exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms
title_full_unstemmed Exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms
title_short Exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms
title_sort exploratory study of nanoparticle interaction with intraorally formed dental biofilms
topic Biofilms
Nanoparticles
Electron microscopy
Dental enamel
Dental pellicle
Preventive dentistry
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06703-x
work_keys_str_mv AT antonschestakow exploratorystudyofnanoparticleinteractionwithintraorallyformeddentalbiofilms
AT mariariegelmann exploratorystudyofnanoparticleinteractionwithintraorallyformeddentalbiofilms
AT matthiashannig exploratorystudyofnanoparticleinteractionwithintraorallyformeddentalbiofilms