Assessment of the antibacterial effect of Barium Titanate nanoparticles against  Staphylococcus epidermidis adhesion after addition to maxillofacial silicone

Background: Maxillofacial silicones are the most popular and acceptable material for making maxillofacial prostheses, but they are not perfect in every sense. To enhance their effectiveness, more improvements to their properties are required, such as their antimicrobial efficiency. This study assess the antibacterial effect of barium titanate nanoparticles in various percentages against staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm adhesion after addition to maxillofacial silicone. Methods: Barium titanate nanoparticles were added into VST-50 platinum silicone elastomer in four weight percentages (0.25wt%, 0.5wt%, 0.75wt% and 1wt%). 50 specimens were prepared and categorized into five groups; one control group and four experimental groups. All conducted data was statistically analyzed using (one-way ANOVA) analysis of variance, and Games-Howell multiple comparison test (significant level at p < 0.05). Shapiro-Wilk and Levene’s tests were used, respectively, to evaluate the normal distribution and homogeneity of the data. Result: One-way ANOVA test revealed a highly significant difference between all groups, and Games-Howell test revealed a highly significant difference between the control group and the four experimental groups. The 0.25wt% and 0.5wt% groups revealed a highly significant difference between them and with the (0.75%wt and 0.1%wt) groups. While the 0.75wt% group revealed a significant difference with 1wt% group. Conclusions: The addition of barium titanate to VST-50 maxillofacial silicone enhanced the antibacterial activity of silicon against Staphylococcus epidermidis, and this activity seems to be concentration dependent. FTIR analysis demonstrated no chemical interaction between the Barium Titanate and the VST-50 maxillofacial silicone elastomer. SEM pictures show that the barium titanate nanopowder was effectively dispersed inside the maxillofacial silicone matrix.