Microbicidal activities of low frequency atmospheric pressure plasma jets on oral pathogens

Dent Mater J. 2011;30(3):384-91. doi: 10.4012/dmj.2010-190. Epub 2011 May 20.

Abstract

Research using low frequency atmospheric pressure plasma jets (LF jet) is becoming increasingly more common. We carried out experiments to evaluate the sterilizing effects of this technology on oral pathogenic microorganisms (S.mutans, C.albicans and E. faecalis) and to determine its potential for clinical application. We performed the direct exposure test on a solid surface, indirect exposure test on a liquid phase, and ROS (reactive oxygen species) inhibitory test. The results showed the LF jet had microbicidal effects on oral pathogens, and that the ROS influenced this sterilization effect. The experiments of this study revealed that LF jet had a sterilizing effect on oral pathogenic microorganisms present in both the solid and liquid phases. The sterilizing mechanism was considered to be related to the effect of superoxide anion radicals. These results indicate that LF jets may represent a novel technology that can be applied to the field of clinical dentistry.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agar
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Atmospheric Pressure
  • Bacterial Load
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Culture Media
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Materials Testing
  • Mouth / microbiology*
  • Oxidants / pharmacology
  • Plasma Gases / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / pharmacology
  • Sterilization / methods
  • Streptococcus mutans / drug effects
  • Superoxide Dismutase / pharmacology
  • Superoxides / pharmacology
  • Suspensions
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Culture Media
  • Oxidants
  • Plasma Gases
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Suspensions
  • Superoxides
  • Agar
  • Superoxide Dismutase