Effect of Zinc on Antibacterial Action of Bioactive Glass Coating for Dental Implant

Abstract

Peri-implantitis is one of the causes of implant failure. Attempts have been done to coat dental implant with bioactive glasses to enhance osseo-integration and reduce microbial attachment. However, the anti-bacterial action of these coatings was limited to certain bacterial strains . Metals such as zinc and silver have been added to these glasses to improve their anti-microbial action.In this study zinc (3 mole%)-containing and zinc-free bioactive glasses were synthesized using melt-derived route. The glass coatings on titanium discs were prepared using enameling technique. The antibacterial action of zinc-containing and zinc-free glass coatings was studied against Streptococcusmutants, Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonasgingivalis by disc diffusion method. These bacterial strains were obtained by swab samples. The results showed that zinc at 3 mole% had no effect on antibacterial action of bioactive glasses and both glass coatings exhibited similar effect on bacterial strains used in this study. Since these glass coatings have similar effect on aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, these glass coatings can be used in various medical applications.