Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of PMMAs Implanted Fluorine and/or Silver Ions by Plasma-Based Ion Implantation with Argon.

The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-oral microorganism effects of fluorine and/or silver ions implanted into acrylic resin (PMMA) using plasma-based ion implantation (PBII) with argon gas. The experimental PMMA specimens were implanted with F and Ag ions alone or simultaneously by the PBII method using Ar or Ar/F gases and Ag mesh. The surface characteristics were evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Moreover, the antibacterial activity against (s) and the antifungal activity against () were examined by the adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) emission luminescence method. XPS spectra of the modified specimens revealed peaks due to F in the Ar/F and the Ar/F+Ag groups, and due to Ag in the Ar+Ag and the Ar/F+Ag groups. The water contact angle increased significantly due to the implantation of Ar, F, and Ag. In the AFM observations, the surface roughness of the Ar/F and the Ar/F+Ag groups increased significantly by less than 5 nanometers. The presence of F and Ag was found to inhibit growth in the Ar+Ag and the Ar/F+Ag groups. However, this method provided no significant antifungal activity against .