Potassium Hydroxide Activated Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Diminishes Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation.

Dental caries represents one of the most common oral diseases. Streptococcus mutans is an oral bacterium involved in the process of caries development, forming a biofilm to promote bacterial adherence to the tooth surface and to other bacteria. Photocatalytically activated titanium dioxide (TiO ) has been shown to have antimicrobial properties on oral pathogens as well as on biofilm formation. We aimed to evaluate the effect of potassium-incorporated TiO2 (KTiOx) nanostructures, a high performance photocatalyst, on biofilm formation by S. mutans. S.mutans was cultured in the presence of KTiOx 1M and 10M nanoparticles, as well as a elemental Ti control. Biofilm formation was assessed using a crystal violet biofilm formation after 24, 48, and 72 hours. A decrease in biofilm formation was observed in a dose response manner after 48 hours incubation with 32, 64, and 128 ug/mL of KTiOx. Our findings show that KTiOx nanoparticles have anti-biofilm properties which may be applied to combat biofilm containing S.mutans, This novel approach may be a promising therapeutic alternative in caries prevention, though reduction of bacterial adhesion to dental surfaces.