Biological Safe Gold Nanoparticle-Modified Dental Aligner Prevents the Porphyromonas gingivalis Biofilm Formation

Oral microbiology could directly influence overall health. Porphyromonas gingivalis ( P. gingivalis ) is a highly pathogenic bacterium that causes periodontitis and other related systematic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Orthodontic devices ( e.g ., invisalign aligner) is commonly used in populations with periodontitis who are also at a high risk of systematic diseases. In this study, newly explored antibacterial 4,6-diamino-2-pyrimidinethiol-modified gold nanoparticles (AuDAPT) were coated onto aligners. The coated aligners showed favorable antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis . In the presence of the coated aligner, the number of planktonic cells was decreased, and biofilm formation was prevented. This material also showed favorable biocompatibility in vivo and in vitro . This study reveals a new method for treating oral P. gingivalis by coating aligners with AuDAPT, which has typical advantages compared to other treatments for both periodontitis and related systematic diseases.