Silver ion doped hydroxyapatite-coated titanium pins prevent bacterial colonization

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of silver ion doped calcium phosphate-based ceramic nano powder-coated titanium pins in preventing bacterial colonization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 66 titanium pins were divided into three groups of 22 implants. The first group was coated with silver ion doped calcium phosphate-based ceramic powder by using electrospray method. The second group was coated with pure hydroxyapatite (HA), and the remaining pins were used without any coating. The remaining 22 pins were used without any coating. Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolate was used for the study. Each pin was placed in 1¥104 CFU/mL bacterial suspension containing tube and at 24 h quantitative culture of bacteria on the broth and on the pins were performed. Free silver ions were determined by atomic absorption method. The antibacterial culture tests were repeated on Day 2 and Weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. RESULTS: Bacterial growth was statistically higher in broth containing uncoated pins, compared to broth media containing silver ion doped HA-coated, and pure HA-coated pins at 24 h (p=0.036 and p=0.009, respectively). The release of bacteria from silver doped HA-coated pins was statistically less, compared to pure HA-coated pins and uncoated pins (p=0.039 and p=0.002, respectively). No significant differences were observed between the HA-coated and uncoated pin groups. Minimum inhibitory concentration levels for silver ion doped powder was 8 μg/mL for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. No free silver ions were detected in the broth media. CONCLUSION: Silver ion doped nano size calcium phosphate-based powder-coated titanium pins reduced the bacterial colonization significantly. Using silver ion doped materials in the body can be a good option to prevent from implant related infections.