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Dentin decontamination using chloramine T prior to experiments involving bacteria
Sarah L Rolland1, Thomas E Carrick, Angus W Walls
1School of Dental Sciences, Framlington Place, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK. s.l.rolland@ncl.ac.uk
Summary
Storing teeth disinfected in chloramine T (chlT) in distilled water for at least 2 hours is crucial. This reduces chlT levels below the minimum bactericidal concentration, ensuring reliable results in biofilm and in vitro caries research.
Area of Science:
- Dental research
- Microbiology
- Biomaterials science
Background:
- Extracted teeth are used in biofilm and in vitro caries studies.
- Surface disinfectants like chloramine T (chlT) are employed.
- Chloramine T can be absorbed into dentin and degrade over time, potentially affecting study outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the ISO11405 recommended storage regime for extracted teeth disinfected in chloramine T.
- To determine the elution and breakdown of chloramine T from dentin over time.
- To assess the impact of storage on chloramine T concentration relative to its antimicrobial activity.
Main Methods:
- Extracted teeth roots were stored in chloramine T, then rinsed and transferred to distilled water.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure chloramine T elution at various time points.
- The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) of chloramine T against Lactobacillus acidophilus were determined.
Main Results:
- Chloramine T elution increased slightly over 4 weeks but was not statistically significant between 2 hours and 4 weeks.
- Chloramine T concentration in dentin was estimated at 0.05%, with breakdown products at 0.015% after boiling.
- The minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentration of chloramine T against Lactobacillus acidophilus was 0.031%.
Conclusions:
- Organic material accelerates chloramine T breakdown.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus is highly susceptible to chloramine T.
- Rinsing teeth does not fully eliminate chloramine T below its minimum bactericidal concentration, necessitating storage in distilled water for at least 2 hours before use in microbial studies.
