In vitro assessment of photocatalytic titanium oxide surface modified stainless steel orthodontic brackets for antiadherent and antibacterial properties against Lactobacillus acidophilus

Objective: To assess the antiadherent and antibacterial properties of surface modified stainless steel orthodontic brackets with photocatalytic titanium oxide (TiO2) against Lactobacillus acidophilus. Materials and Methods: This study was done on 120 specimens of stainless steel preadjusted edgewise appliance (PEA) orthodontic brackets. The specimens were divided into four test groups. Each group consisted of 30 specimens. Groups containing uncoated brackets acted as a control group for their respective experimental group containing coated brackets. Surface modification of brackets was carried out by the radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method with photocatalytic TiO2. Brackets then were subjected to microbiological tests for assessment of the antiadherent and antibacterial properties of photocatalytic TiO2 coating against L acidophilus. Results: Orthodontic brackets coated with photocatalytic TiO2 showed an antiadherent effect against L acidophilus compared with uncoated brackets. The bacterial mass that was bound to the TiO2-coated brackets was less when compared with the uncoated brackets. Furthermore, TiO2-coated brackets had a bactericidal effect on L acidophilus, which causes dental caries. Conclusion: Surface modification of orthodontic brackets with photocatalytic TiO2 can be used to prevent the accumulation of dental plaque and the development of dental caries during orthodontic treatment. (Angle Orthod. 2011;81:1028-1035.)