Influence of Adding Nanoparticles of Silver Vanadate on Antibacterial Effect and Physicochemical Properties of Endodontic Sealers

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was adding the nanostructured silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgVO(3)) (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%) to the endodontic sealers AH-Plus, Sealer 26 and Endomethasone N, and evaluate the antimicrobial activity, solubility and pH. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The antimicrobial activity of freshly mixed sealers (n=10) and set sealers (n=9) against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) was evaluated by colony forming units per milliliter and epifluorescence microscopy. Solubility (n=9) and pH (n=10), 6 and 24 h and 7, 14, and 30 days were also evaluated. The Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-test were applied for the antimicrobial activity of fresh sealers. ANOVA and Tukey’s post-test was used for set sealers and solubility, and Friedman's two-way analysis of variance for pH (α=0.05). RESULTS: The fresh sealers inhibited E. faecalis. Set Sealer 26 (5 and 10% AgVO(3)) and Endomethasone N (2.5, 5, and 10% AgVO(3)) presented higher activity then the corresponding controls. Modification with AgVO(3) did not influence the solubility of AH Plus and Sealer 26, but Endomethasone N (5%) presented reduced solubility. The AH-Plus groups showed acidic pH, and Sealer 26, basic pH after 30 days. Endomethasone N (5 and 10% AgVO(3)) presented statistical difference compared to 0% (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: In this in vitro study all fresh sealers and set Sealer 26 (5 and 10%) and Endomethasone N (2.5, 5, and 10%) presented higher antimicrobial activity than controls. The modification with 5% and 10% AgVO(3) decreased solubility and pH of Endomethasone N, but did not affect the other groups.