Influence of Adding Nanoparticles of Silver Vanadate on Antibacterial Effect and Physicochemical Properties of Endodontic Sealers

The aim of this study was adding the nanostructured silver vanadate decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgVO3) (0, 2.5, 5, and 10%) to the endodontic sealers AH-Plus, Sealer 26 and Endomethasone N, and evaluate the antimicrobial activity, solubility and pH. Methods and Materials: The antimicrobial activity of freshly mixed sealers (n=10) and set sealers (n=9) against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) was evaluated by colony forming units per milliliter and epifluorescence microscopy. Solubility (n=9) and pH (n=10), 6 and 24 h and 7, 14, and 30 days were also evaluated. The Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-test were applied for the antimicrobial activity of fresh sealers. ANOVA and Tukey’s post-test was used for set sealers and solubility, and Friedman's two-way analysis of variance for pH (α=0.05). The fresh sealers inhibited E. faecalis. Set Sealer 26 (5 and 10% AgVO3) and Endomethasone N (2.5, 5, and 10% AgVO3) presented higher activity then the corresponding controls. Modification with AgVO3 did not influence the solubility of AH Plus and Sealer 26, but Endomethasone N (5%) presented reduced solubility. The AH-Plus groups showed acidic pH, and Sealer 26, basic pH after 30 days. Endomethasone N (5 and 10% AgVO3) presented statistical difference compared to 0% (P<0.05). In this in vitro study all fresh sealers and set Sealer 26 (5 and 10%) and Endomethasone N (2.5, 5, and 10%) presented higher antimicrobial activity than controls. The modification with 5% and 10% AgVO3 decreased solubility and pH of Endomethasone N, but did not affect the other groups.