Green synthesis of chitosan- and fluoride-functionalized silver nanoparticles using Camellia sinensis: Characterization and dental applications Cifuentes Jiménez, Carolina Cecilia Bolaños Carmona, María Victoria Enrich Essvein, Tattiana Rodríguez Navarro, Alejandro González López, Santiago Yamauti, Monica Álvarez Lloret, Pedro Silver nanoparticles Plant extract Green chemistry technology The development of new biocompatible and eco-friendly materials is essential for the future of dental practice, especially for the management of dental caries. In this study, a novel and simple method was applied for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from the aqueous extract of Camellia sinensis (WT) and functionalized with chitosan (CHS) and NaF. The effects of WT_AgNPs application on demineralized dentin were evaluated for potential dental applications. The WT_AgNPs showed molecular groups related to organic compounds, potentially acting as reducing and capping agents. All AgNPs presented spherical shapes with crystal sizes of approximately 20 nm. Forty human molars were assigned to control: sound (SD) and demineralised dentine (DD), and experimental groups: WT_AgNPs, WT_AgNPs_NaF, and WT_AgNPs_CHS. Then, the NPs were applied to DD to evaluate the chemical, crystallographic, and microstructural characteristics of treated-dentine. In addition, a three-point bending test was employed to assess mechanical response. The application of WT_AgNPs indicated a higher mineralisation degree and crystallites sizes of hydroxyapatite than the DD group. SEM images showed that WT_AgNPs presented different degrees of aggregation and distribution patterns. The dentine flexural strength was significantly increased in all WT_AgNPs. The application of WT_AgNPs demonstrated remineralising and strengthening potential on demineralised dentine. 2024-07-09T08:50:30Z 2024-07-09T08:50:30Z 2024-04-17 journal article Cifuentes-Jiménez, Carolina, et al. Green synthesis of chitosan- and fluoride-functionalized silver nanoparticles using Camellia sinensis: Characterization and dental applications. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 268 (2024) 131676 [10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131676] https://hdl.handle.net/10481/93034 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131676 eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ open access Atribución-NoComercial 4.0 Internacional Elsevier