Mechanical Properties of Chitosan Incorporated in Maxillofacial Silicone and its Anti Candidal Activity In Vitro

Background: One of the major problem associated with the use of maxillofacial silicone material is microorganisms and fungal growth especially Candida albicans, which can result in chronic Infection, inflammation and degradation of silicone material that's why the development of antimicrobial silicone elastomer became so important. So a multiple studies are performed trying to improve this property, this study concentrated on incorporating chitosan micro particles into the silicone matrix. \n \nAim of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding different concentrations of chitosan micro particles into silicone matrix on antifungal activity and some mechanical properties as tear and tensile strength. \n \nMaterials and Methods: Chitosan particles were added in different concentrations (1.5%, 2.5%, and 3.5% by weight) into room temperature vulcanized silicone elastomer material. 220 specimens were made and divided according to the test to be performed into four groups. Viable count test and disk diffusion test was performed to evaluate the antifungal properties of silicone material incorporated by chitosan. Tear and tensile strength of the maxillofacial silicone was also tested. \n \nResults: The results of viable count showed a highly significant decrease in colony forming unit of C. albicans in experimental groups contrast with control group. In disk diffusion test the measurement of inhibition zone was concentration dependent so the inhibition zone increased as the concentration increased. There was a highly significant increase in the mean value of tear strength while there was significant decrease in the tensile strength of silicone after chitosan addition. \n \nConclusion: The addition of chitosan micro particles into RTV silicone result in developing anti-candidal activity for maxillofacial material. Also this addition resulted in increased tear strength while the tensile strength decreased.