Comparison study of root canal disinfection by cold plasma jet and photodynamic therapy.

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluated and compared the antibacterial effect of plasma and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis.

METHODS

One hundred single-rooted extracted human teeth (no treatment) were selected and sterilized. Root canals of teeth were prepared with the crown-down technique and contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis after sterilization, and incubated for one week. To investigate the effect of disinfection, 60 specimens were randomly selected for three disinfection groups: He and He/O2 plasma (n = 20) in 5-s groups (control, 2, 4, 6 and 8 min treatments) and PDT (n = 20) in 2-s groups (control and PDT treatment). Next, for comparison, 40 remaining teeth were divided into four groups: control, 8 min He plasma, 8 min He/O2, and PDT. Results of antibacterial action were reported by CFU/mL analysis and the structural changes of biofilm were evaluated by SEM.

RESULTS

All groups showed a significant reduction of bacteria after treatment, and He/O2 plasma was more effective against E. faecalis, followed by PDT and He plasma respectively, further confirmed by SEM.

CONCLUSION

He/O2 plasma is a strong sterilization method against E. faecalis biofilm and can, therefore, be an effective therapy in endodontics.