Introduction The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) mixed with saline and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate mixed with silver nanoparticles solution; 25 ppm (25AG) and 12 ppm (12 AG) at three setting conditions using the direct contact test.
Methodology Each of the tested materials was placed at the bottom of 96-well plates then immediately exposed to the bacterial suspension or exposed after 3 days and after 7 days of setting. Aliquots of the bacterial suspension were placed on the tested materials and in the control wells for 1 hour to ensure direct contact between all the bacteria and the surface of the tested materials. BHI broth was then added to each of the wells; 15 μl of the bacterial suspension was transferred to corresponding wells in other plates, containing fresh culture medium. The kinetics of bacterial growth was measured every two hours for six hours, using spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 620.
Results There was a statistically significant effect of the material on the antibacterial activity (p=0.001, p<0.05), where the 25 AG showed the highest antibacterial effect.
Conclusion The addition of Nano-silver solution to MTA seemed to increase its antibacterial effect against Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.