A spectrophotometric analysis of copper and zinc released from stainless steel brackets coated with a combination of copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in artificial saliva

Nanocoating stainless steel orthodontic brackets with a combination of copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles might alter the quantity of ions released from them in saliva. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quantity of copper and zinc ions released from stainless steel brackets coated with a combination of copper oxide and zinc oxide. Stainless steel orthodontic brackets (Ormco Mini -Diamond series 0.22” slot, MBT prescription) (ORMCO CORP Glendora, California, USA) (n= 15 in each group) were coated with nanoparticles of copper oxide (Group I) , zinc oxide (Group II) and a combination of copper oxide –zinc oxide (Group III) nanoparticles using a spray pyrolysis method . The quantity of copper and zinc ions released from these three groups of brackets, when stored in artificial saliva and intubated at 37 C was evaluated at 24hrs, 7th day, 14th day and 28th day using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The three groups of coated brackets released significantly more copper and zinc ions than the uncoated brackets. The copper oxide nanocoated and zinc oxide nano coated stainless steel orthodontic brackets released more copper and zinc ions when compared to the copper oxide - zinc oxide combination nanocoated orthodontic brackets and uncoated brackets. The highest surge of ion release was noted at the 7th day in all the three coated groups for both the ions evaluated. Brackets coated with a combination of copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles demonstrated reduced levels of copper and zinc ion release in artificial saliva when compared to copper oxide nanocoated brackets and zinc oxide nanocoated brackets. .