LAUSR

Objective The study aims to enhance the anti-caries performance of pit and fissure sealants through the synthesis of novel silver nanocomposites, and to evaluate their mechanical properties and biological safety in vitro and in vivo. Methods The antibacterial properties of synthetic eggshell/Ag were detected by bacterial inhibition zone, minimum bacteriostatic concentration, fluorescence staining and scanning electron microscopy. The synthetic products were then combined with pit and fissure sealants to prepare specimens, and their effects on mechanical properties, antibacterial properties and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Furthermore, an oral mucosal contact model of golden hamsters was established according to the ISO10933 standard to evaluate local stimulation and systemic effects. Results The novel nanocomposite eggshell/Ag was confirmed to exhibit strong broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, and that the eggshell/Ag-modified pit and fissure sealant had strong antibacterial properties against common dental caries bacterial biofilms, without any significant change in mechanical properties. The gradient dilution extract showed acceptable cytotoxicity, and in the golden hamster oral contact model, there were no visible abnormalities in local mucosal tissues, blood indices, or liver and kidney histopathology. Conclusions These findings suggest that eggshell/Ag combined with pit and fissure sealants has strong antibacterial activity and excellent biosafety in vitro and in vivo, making it a promising candidate for clinical applications.