# Anti-microbial and micro-leakage properties of orthodontic cement

## TL;DR

This study examines how adding N-acetylcysteine and copper nanoparticles to orthodontic cement affects its antimicrobial properties and micro-leakage.

## Contribution

The study evaluates the combined effect of N-acetylcysteine and copper nanoparticles in orthodontic cement for antimicrobial and micro-leakage properties.

## Key findings

- Group V showed the highest antimicrobial zone of inhibition.
- Group I had the highest micro-leakage score (2.2 ± 1.09).
- Group III had the least micro-leakage score (0.8 ± 0.37).

## Abstract

Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) is used for cementing orthodontic bands because of its anti-cariogenic property, which is attributed to
the release of fluoride. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the antimicrobial property and micro-leakage of GIC incorporated with
different concentration of N-acetylcysteine (N-AC) and copper nanoparticle (Cu-NP). Our study composed of 5 groups i.e.
group I is control with different concentration of N-AC and Cu-NP involving each group with 8 samples. We found that, group V showed the
highest zone of inhibition; while the micro-leakage was seen highest for group I with a score of 2.2 ± 1.09 and the least score
was recorded for Group III (0.8± 0.37). Thus, addition of 2% Cu-NP and 15% N-AC resulted in minimal micro-leakage. We conclude
that increase in concentration of N-AC and CU-NP antimicrobial property efficiency also increases; on the other hand, increase in the
concentration of N-AC and CU-NP did not decrease the micro-leakage.