Dentures and epitheses are mostly made from poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), which does not show antimicrobial properties. They present reservoirs of microorganisms grown in biofilms. The aim of this study is to prepare a PMMA enriched with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-PMMA/AuNPs and the examination of its physical, mechanical and antimicrobial properties. The AuNPS were synthetized from HAuCl4 using the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method with lyophilization. The PMMA/AuNP samples were compared to PMMA samples. Density was measured by pycnometer. Microhardness was evaluated using the Vickers hardness test. Monomicrobial biofilm formation (Streptococcus mitis, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) was measured by colony-forming units (CFUs) and MTT test and visualized by SEM. AuNP release was measured indirectly (the CFUs of the medium around the sample). The density and microhardness of the PMMA/AuNPs were similar to those of the PMMA. CFU and MTT values for the biofilms formed on the PMMA for each of the tested species were higher than those of the biofilms formed on the PMMA/AuNPs. The CFUs of the medium around the sample were similar for both materials. PMMA/AuNPs showed a significant reduction in the monomicrobial biofilms of all tested species. AuNPs are not released from PMMA/AuNPs. Density, indirect measurement of residual monomer and dentures weight were similar between PMMA and PMMA/AuNPs. Microhardness, as a measure of the wear resistance, was also similar between tested discs.
Keywords: PMMA; antibiofilm effect; biofilm; gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).