Evaluation of antibacterial properties of nano silver Iranian MTA against Fusobacterium nucleatum

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Iranian mineral trioxide aggregate (IMTA) and NanoSilver–IMTA (NS–IMTA) at clinical concentrations against Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, which is one of the most prevalent taxa in the infected apical root canal system, chronic suppurative apical periodontitis and endodontic flare-ups. We combined NS (0.1 mg/mL) with IMTA at 3, 6 and 12% concentrations. To evaluate the antimicrobial effect, agar diffusion and broth dilution methods were used. In the agar diffusion test, IMTA and NS–IMTA showed zones of inhibition against F. nucleatum. The MIC of NS was 0.003 mg/mL. In broth dilution assay, IMTA reduced the growth of F. nucleatum by 71.3% and 88.9% after 48 h and 72 h, respectively. For 3% NS IMTA, the reduction in the number of viable bacteria was as the same as IMTA after 72 h. IMTA containing 6% and 12% NS completely inhibited the proliferation of F. nucleatum. A statistically significance difference (P<0.05) was found between IMTA and IMTA containing 6% and 12% of NS. In conclusion, NS–IMTA could completely inhibit the proliferation of F. nucleatum in dose-dependent manner that may have a significant effect in prognosis of root perforation.