Antimicrobial activity of TiO2-coated orthodontic ceramic brackets against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

Polycrystalline alumina ceramic orthodontic brackets were coated with anatase TiO₂ film via a sol-gel dip-coating method. The surface structure morphology and composition of the films were evaluated via scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The antimicrobial activity of the ceramic brackets was assessed against two oral pathogens, S. mutans and C. albicans. The results demonstrated that TiO₂-coated brackets exposed to low energy UV-A illumination efficiently reduced the populations of test microorganisms relative to the uncoated brackets. The reduction efficiencies were 98% for S. mutans ATCC 10449 and 93% for C. albicans ATCC 60193.