Purpose: To examine the antibacterial effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (SNP) mixed with commercial orthodontic adhesives. Materials and Methods: SNP was prepared by dissolving silver perchlorate in an organic solvent and reducing it with ultraviolet radiation. SNP was then mixed with four commercial orthodontic adhesives (Light Bond, Blugloo, Transbond XT, and Fuji Ortho LC) (0.05 wt %), which were then formed into disc-shape specimens (8.0 ㎜×3.0 ㎜). Commercial orthodontic adhesives containing no SNP were used as the control groups. Specimens of the four experimental and four control groups were incubated with streptococcus mutans and the medium turbidity was assessed at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours after incubation. The agar diffusion test was also performed to examine the growth inhibition zone of these groups. The data were statistically analyzed using a Wilcoxon rank sum test and t-test with a Bonferroni’s correction (P＜0.05). Result: The SNP containing groups had a superior antibacterial effect compared to the control groups. In the agar diffusion test, the control groups without SNP did not produce an inhibition zone, whereas the SNP containing groups showed inhibition zone of 10~13 ㎜. Conclusion: The incorporation of SNP into orthodontic adhesives can inhibit cariogenic bacterial growth.
