Development of a Novel Removable Acrylic Orthodontic Appliance Material with Protein - Repellent and Antifungal Properties

Objective: To develop an innovative self-cure orthodontic acrylic resin containing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and explore the impact on protein-repellent capacity, antifungal activity, surface roughness and flexural strength. Materials and Methods: MPC was added to polymethyl Methacrylate PMMA resin in three different concentrations forming four groups (0 [control], 1.5, 3, and 4.5%). The protein adsorption was assessed utilizing a micro bicinchoninic acid method. Candida albicans biofilm activity was estimated via colony forming unit counts. Surface roughness was evaluated utilizing a Mitutoyo surface roughness tester. Flexural strength was tested in three-point flexure utilizing a Universal Testing Machine. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (α = 0.05). Results: Incorporating MPC into the self-cure orthodontic acrylic resin significantly reduced both protein adsorption and C. albicans CFU compared to control group (p < 0.001). Adding 4.5 wt% MPC to the self-cure orthodontic PMMA resin raised the roughness values significantly (p = 0.012), while adding 1.5% and 3 % MPC resulted in no difference in roughness values to that of the control group (p > 0.05). The incorporation of 3 wt% MPC into PMMA resin significantly increased the flexural strength (P < 0.05). However, PMMA resin incorporating 4.5 wt% MPC revealed significant reduction in flexural strength compared with the control group (p = 0.009). Conclusion: A novel removable acrylic orthodontic appliance material incorporating 3 wt% MPC could achieve a promising protein repellent and antifungal activity without adversely affecting the surface roughness and flexural strength of PMMA resins.