Shear bond strength and antibacterial effects of orthodontic composite containing TiO2 nanoparticles

Nanofillers can reduce enamel demineralization without compromising physical properties of the composite. The aim of this study was to evaluate shear bond strength (SBS) and antibacterial effects of an orthodontic composite after adding titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. Light cure orthodontic composite paste (Transbond XT) was blended with TiO2 nanoparticles. A total of 30 extracted premolars were randomly allocated into two groups of 15. In order to bond brackets, Transbond XT adhesive and nanocomposite were used in each group, respectively. SBS of two groups were determined, and the adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were assessed. A total of 45 composite discs specimen were prepared. Of the 45 discs, 30 discs were made from nanocomposite and tested for antibacterial properties immediately and 30 days after curing by direct contact test. The antibacterial properties of the remaining 15 discs that were made from the conventional composite were tested immediately after curing as control group. Student's t-test and chi-square tests were used to analyse the data with the significance level of 0.05. No significant difference was found between SBS of conventional and nanocomposites, 24 hours after curing (P = 0.58). Chi-square test showed that ARI scores of two groups were not significantly different after debonding (P = 0.69). Comparison of antibacterial effects between conventional and nanocomposite demonstrated significant difference between two groups, with nanocomposites having a higher antibacterial activity (P = 0.03). Colony count revealed no significant difference in bacterial growth immediately and 30 days after curing in nanocomposite group. Adding TiO2 nanoparticles to orthodontic composite enhances its antibacterial effects without compromising the SBS.