Investigation of the Potential of Nanoparticles as a New Drug Delivery System for Endodontic Treatment.

Abstract

Background: The application of nanoparticles in endodontic treatment presents a novel approach to drug delivery, potentially enhancing the efficacy of therapeutic agents.

Materials and methods: In this study, we synthesized and characterized nanoparticles of chitosan, calcium phosphate, and silver using standard protocols. The nanoparticles were then loaded with an antimicrobial agent, chlorhexidine, and incorporated into an endodontic sealer. The antibacterial efficacy of the nanoparticle-enhanced sealer was tested against Enterococcus faecalis using a disk diffusion method. Additionally, the penetration depth of nanoparticles into dentinal tubules was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results: The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited a uniform size distribution, with an average diameter of 50 nm for chitosan, 30 nm for calcium phosphate, and 20 nm for silver nanoparticles. The antibacterial tests showed that the nanoparticle-loaded sealer achieved a 40% greater inhibition zone against Enterococcus faecalis compared to the control sealer without nanoparticles. SEM analysis revealed that the nanoparticles penetrated dentinal tubules to a depth of approximately 500 μm, significantly more than the conventional sealer.

Conclusion: Nanoparticles demonstrate significant potential as a drug delivery system in endodontic treatment, enhancing both the antibacterial efficacy and penetration depth of therapeutic agents.