Adhesion of Oral Bacteria to Commercial d-PTFE Membranes: Polymer Microstructure Makes a Difference

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of the membranes used during guided bone regeneration directly influences the outcome of this procedure. In this study, we analyzed the early stages of bacterial adhesion on two commercial dense polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membranes in order to identify microstructural features that led to different adhesion strengths. The microstructure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). The surface properties were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface free energy (SFE) measurements. Bacterial properties were determined using the microbial adhesion to solvents (MATS) assay, and bacterial surface free energy (SFE) was measured spectrophotometrically. The adhesion of four species of oral bacteria (Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitas, and Veilonella parvula) was studied on surfaces with or without the artificial saliva coating. The results indicated that the degree of crystallinity (78.6% vs. 34.2%, with average crystallite size 50.54 nm vs. 32.86 nm) is the principal feature promoting the adhesion strength, through lower nanoscale roughness and possibly higher surface stiffness. The spherical crystallites (“warts”), observed on the surface of the highly crystalline sample, were also identified as a contributor. All bacterial species adhered better to a highly crystalline membrane (around 1 log10CFU/mL difference), both with and without artificial saliva coating. Our results show that the changes in polymer microstructure result in different antimicrobial properties even for chemically identical PTFE membranes.

Streptococcus salivarius as an Important Factor in Dental Biofilm Homeostasis: Influence on Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in Mixed Biofilm

“…The SFE surface is one of the main factors on which bacterial adhesion depends. Our previously published research determined the SFE of the tested bacterial species, and we proved that the difference between the SFE of bacteria and the surface they colonize affected adhesion [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Our results showed that in the presence of S. salivarius , in the initial 24-h streptococcal mixed biofilm, S. mutans was represented in smaller numbers and was a smaller proportion of the total number of bacteria.…”

Antimicrobial and Pro-Osteogenic Coaxially Electrospun Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles-Polycaprolactone /Parathyroid Hormone-Polycaprolactone Composite Barrier Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration

“…Additionally, Gabrijela et al indicate that the bacteria adhesion on the membrane, which is considered a crucial initial stage for the formation of a biofilm, occurs in 4h. 51 Therefore, the elimination of residual bacteria in initial 24h was crucial for high efficacy of GBR. Based on this, we further evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of the membranes with or without MgONPs, which were co-cultured with bacteria for 24h using an MTT assay and listed it in Figure 5 .…”

A novel surgical technique for prevention of self-sucking in cattle and buffaloes: tongue piercing

“…Recently, implants made of natural materials such as stone, wood, horn, ivory and bone have been developed [23]. The implant utilized in this study was made of Teflon material, which is one of the most biocompatible materials used in the biomedical field; it is stable in host tissues and does not elicit an immunological response or allergic reaction; it also has excellent chemical resistance [24].…”