Comparison study of root canal disinfection by cold plasma jet and photodynamic therapy
Authors: Ameneh Armand, Mohammadreza Khani, Mohammad Asnaashari, Atousa AliAhmadi, Babak Shokri

Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2019.04.023

Abstract:
Introduction
This study evaluated and compared the antibacterial effect of plasma and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in root canals infected with Enterococcus facials, for the first time.
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 facials 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-second groups (control, 2, 4, 6 and 8 min treatments) and PDT (n=20) in 2-second 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.