Counteracting microbial biofilm formation onto dental materials

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of dental materials is a common cause of their failure. Microbial contamination of the biomaterials differs from that of natural tissues. In fact, the contamination modalities of medical devices depend on many peculiar factors related to them: the chemistry of the biomaterial, the physical properties of the surface, the design of the medical device, the extension of surgical invasion, and the time of application. The environment and/or the conditions and response of the host also contribute to the development of infection.

Viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacteria are all involved in biomaterial contamination. They are endogenous commensals of the mouth, not virulent in planktonic form, but pathogens when arranged in biofilm. In this presentation the physical chemical aspects of the materials surfaces that mainly affect the biofilm formation will be reviewed. The current available strategies to develop materials with intrinsic antibacterial properties bioactive coatings with bactericide agents including Gallium and Silver doping and nanostructured anti-adhesion surfaces including anatase will be presented. Technologies to clinically remove biofilm and counteract its re-formation will be discussed