Removal efficiency of central vacuum system and protective masks to suspended particles from dental treatment

Ming-Hui Liu; Chi-Tsung Chen; Li-Chuan Chuang; Wen-Ming Lin; Gwo-Hwa Wan

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0225644

Removal efficiency of central vacuum system and protective masks to suspended particles from dental treatment

PLoS One. 2019 Nov 26;14(11):e0225644. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225644. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Ming-Hui Liu¹, Chi-Tsung Chen², Li-Chuan Chuang³, Wen-Ming Lin⁴, Gwo-Hwa Wan^{5

6

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Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
² Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
³ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of General Practice Dentistry, Taoyuan Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Chiayi, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background: High levels of suspended particulate matters (PMs) and bioaerosols are created by dental procedures. The present study aimed to evaluate the size and concentration of PMs produced by drilling and grinding teeth, and to assess the efficiency of central vacuum system and protective masks for the removal of PMs.

Methods: A total of 20 extracted permanent teeth were collected. A novel experimental system and particle counter were used to evaluate the PMs produced by dental procedures and the PM removal efficiency of a central vacuum system and surgical/N95 masks.

Results: The number concentration of total PMs produced by drilling and grinding teeth was significantly higher than the indoor background concentration. The average aerodynamic diameter of particle was generally less than 1 μm. The average number concentration of ultrafine particles was 2.1x1011 particles/m3 during tooth drilling and grinding. The efficiency of the central vacuum system was 35.74% for PM≥0.5 and 35.41% for PM10. For PM≥0.5, the ratios of inside and outside masks were 0.8-1.34 without vacuum and 1.18-1.36 with vacuum. No difference was found with the use of surgical/N95 masks during dental therapy, with or without vacuum use.

Conclusions: High levels of PMs were found during tooth drilling and grinding procedures, especially among PM1. The PM removal efficiency of a central vacuum system and surgical/N95 masks were limited.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis
Dental Scaling*
Humans
Masks*
Particle Size
Particulate Matter / analysis*
Particulate Matter / isolation & purification
Respiratory Protective Devices
Vacuum

Substances

Particulate Matter

Grants and funding

MHL received CMRPG5F0171 from the Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Taiwan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. GHW received BMRP0441 from the Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Taiwan. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.