The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Baghdad discussed the master’s thesis titled *Evaluation of the Effect of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on the Adhesion of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Other Specified Properties of Maxillofacial Silicone (A Laboratory Study)* by the student Ahmed Jamil Mashlush.
The aim of the thesis is to identify and evaluate the effects of adding copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) incorporated with maxillofacial silicone at room temperature VST-50F on: (1) the adhesion of *Staphylococcus epidermidis* to maxillofacial silicone, (2) certain mechanical properties of maxillofacial silicone, including tear strength, tensile strength, elongation percentage, hardness, and surface roughness.
The thesis also included an experimental study to determine the optimal percentage of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) to be added to VST-50F maxillofacial silicone. Five different nanoparticle weight percentages were selected (0.001%, 0.002%, 0.003%, 0.004%, 0.005%) and compared to a control group without any additions (0.00% CuO NPs). Two percentages (0.003% and 0.004%) were selected alongside the control group (0.00%) for the main study. A total of 150 samples were carefully prepared, with 30 samples allocated for each individual test. The statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in bacterial adhesion (P < 0.05) in the experimental groups compared to the control group. There was a significant increase in tear strength, tensile strength, and hardness (P < 0.05), while surface roughness showed no significant increase (P > 0.05). However, the elongation percentage significantly decreased.
The key recommendations of the study are as follows: the incorporation of CuO NPs into VST-50F maxillofacial silicone improved its antibacterial effectiveness against *Staphylococcus epidermidis*. The addition of CuO NPs to VST-50F silicone resulted in a significant increase in tear strength, tensile strength, and hardness, while the elongation percentage significantly decreased. There was a slight but statistically insignificant increase in surface roughness. Small percentages of CuO NPs appear to significantly prevent bacterial adhesion to the surface of VST-50F silicone and enhance some of its mechanical properties, making it a foundation for future long-term investigations into antimicrobial effectiveness.
The thesis was accepted by the examination committee.
