Background: Fixed orthodontic appliances especially with orthodontic elastomeric ligatures can increase the risk for
development of white spot lesions, which are often irreversible. Due to their huge surface area, silver nanoparticles are
effective antimicrobials. Green synthesis employs the use of plant extracts such as Clove and Cardamom which possesses
antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Aim: This study aims to discover a novel approach to coat orthodontic elastomeric modules or ligatures with
biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using clove and cardamom as plant extract.
Materials and methods: Aqueous extract of cardamom and clove was prepared. Biosynthetic silver nanoparticles were
synthesised by reacting silver nitrate ions with clove and cardamom extract (as bioreductant). Using a magnetic stirrer
and a hot plate, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesised directly on orthodontic elastomeric ligatures.
Characterization of silver nanocoated elastomeric ligatures was done using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy
Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX).
Results: At the end of third day formation of AgNPs were reported by color shifting from orange-red to dark brown.
Reducing silver ions to AgNPs, as shown by UV-vis spectroscopy, generated a peak at 462 nm. SEM and EDX confirms the
presence of elemental silver on silver nanocoated elastomeric ligatures.
Conclusion: An innovative coating technique incorporating magnetic stirrer along with a hot plate allows for the efficient
coating of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles on orthodontic elastic ligatures. The SEM and EDX results indicate the
structural integrity of the Ag nanoparticles on the biosynthetically produced orthodontic elastic ligatures is enhanced.
Key words: Elastomeric ligatures, silver nanoparticles, SEM, EDX
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