Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
10.3.4
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Quaternary ammonium poly(ethylene imine) (QA-PEI) nanoparticles as an antimicrobial to incor-
porate into restorative composite resins have been developed
[77]
(
Figure 10.3
). This may have dis-
tinct advantages over the currently used composite resins employed to restore hard tissues, which
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
FIGURE 10.3
Scanning electron micrograph (4000
magnification) of S. mutans in contact with composite resin (Z250,
3M ESPE Dental) with and without 1% w/w quaternary ammonium polyethylenimine (PEI) nanoparticles.
(A) After 1 h incubation without nanoparticles. (B) After 24 h incubation without nanoparticles showing
bacterial growth and typical biofilm formation. (C) After 1 h of incubation with nanoparticles. (D) After 24 h of
incubation with nanoparticles. There is a decrease in the amount of S. mutans present illustrating the
bactericidal properties of PEI nanoparticles.
3
With permission from Ref.
[77]
.
