Antimicrobial and mechanical acrylic resin properties with silver particles obtained from Fusarium oxysporum
<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study evaluated the effects of the incorporation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained from <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> on heat-activated acrylic resin (HAAR) and their influence on resin’s surface roughness, hardness, color alteration and antimicrobial capacity against <em>Candida albicans</em>. <strong>Material and Methods:</strong> For this, 50 discs of HAAR (2x5 mm) were produced and divided into three groups, Control: HAAR; Ag1: HAAR plus 0.539 mg of AgNPs; and Ag2: HAAR plus 1.1 mg of AgNPs. Knopp hardness (HK), surface roughness (Ra and Rz) and color alteration according to the CIE Lab were measured. Specimens were then evaluated <em>in vitro</em> with regard to <em>C. albicans</em> biofilm formation through formed colony count (CFU/mL). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses were performed. <strong>Results:<em> </em></strong>The addition of AgNPs of both concentrations changed Ra, Rz and HK significantly. There was statistically significant difference for L (p=0.00); a*(p=0.00) and b*(p=0.00) parameters. There were no differences between Ag1 and Ag2 biofilm formation, but the comparison of both with the control group presented a significant reduction (p=0.0091) on biofilm formation. SEM and AFM images showed no signs of NPs clustering. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> It can be concluded tha AgNPs incorporation in HAAR was effective in reducing <em>C. albicans</em> activity, with a slight change in color and hardness of the material, being effective therefore, in regions such as the dental prostheses palate, which have lesser aesthetic appeal.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong></p><p>Acrylic resins; Silver; Antimicrobial agents.</p>