Abstract
Introduction: Silk fibroin (SF), due to its biocompatibility and strength, can act as an additive to optimize glass-iono m e r cement (GIC). This study aimed to incorporate 0.5% SF nanoparticles into restorative GIC (Maxxion® R) to improve its mechanical, surface, and microbiological properties.
Methods: Compression, diametral tensile strength, microhardness, surface roughness, and microbiological tests involving Streptococcus mutans (bacterial adhesion, in vitro biofilm formation, and inhibition halo) were conducted, along with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The specimens were randomly divided into three groups: G1: GIC without SF nanoparticle incorporation; G2: GIC with SF nanoparticles incorporated only into the liquid; and G3: GIC with SF nanoparticles incorporated into both the liquid and powder.
Results: Incorporating nanoparticles into GIC resulted in favorable outcomes, with statistically significant differences in compression tests (P=0.048), surface roughness (P=0.03), and microbiological evaluation. CFU counts differed significantly between groups (P=0.049), while differences in inhibition halo (IH) measurements were descriptive without statistical comparison. Diametral tensile strength tests (P=0.598) and microhardness (P=0.241) showed no statistically significant differences, although values increased numerically with SF incorporation. SEM analysis suggested reduced biofilm formation on the surfaces of groups G2 and G3. FTIR indicated that the incorporation did not interfere with the acid–base setting reaction of the GIC.
Conclusion: Incorporating SF nanoparticles improved GIC performance in terms of compressive strength, surface roughness, and antimicrobial activity against S. mutans.