Antibacterial effect of metallic nanoparticles on Streptococcus mutans bacterial strain with or without diode laser (970 nm)

Abstract

The main etiological agent for dental caries is Streptococcus mutans bacterial strain. Recently, metallic nanoparticles and diode laser have been introduced as a new method in bacterial decontamination. Nanoparticles have very small particles size that has greater surface area and exert their antimicrobial effect by interacting with the negatively charged bacterial cell wall, while lasers have become increasingly popular in dentistry due to their multiple uses, and one such important application is tooth disinfection.