Aim: Evaluation of efficiency of non-thermal plasma as bactericidal agent affecting biofilms formed in vitro and on walls of a root channel.
Materials and methods: The multiple antibiotic resistant strain Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from pulpitis was used. Biofilms formed in vitro on the plastic surface and ex vivo at the walls of the root canal were treated with plasma torch formed by argon:air (9:1) mixture eradiated with 100 kHz electrtomagnetic field. Bacterial viability was determined by plating and by differential Live/Dead labeling.
Results: The dose-dependent decrease in living bacteria was demonstrated. The three-step kinetics ofbacterial killing was observed. Total elimination ofup 10(9) CFU/sample was reached at exposition of 240 s or more.
Conclusion: The non-thermal plasma effectively destroyed bacterial biofilms within root channels.