Effect of modified nonequilibrium plasma with chlorhexidine digluconate against endodontic biofilms in vitro

Nonequilibrium plasma has been reported to effectively kill Enterococcus faecalis in endodontic biofilm compared with chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial in vitro activity of modified nonequilibrium plasma with CHX against E. faecalis and multispecies biofilms on bovine dentin discs.

Sterile bovine dentin discs were incubated with E. faecalis or a mixture of bacteria from human dental root canal infections to form 1- and 3-week-old biofilms. The specimens were subjected to nonequilibrium plasma, modified nonequilibrium plasma with CHX, and 2% CHX for 2- and 5-minute exposure. After treatment, the biofilms were stained with viability dyes and examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy and 3-dimensional reconstruction analysis. The proportions of bacterial cells killed by the treatments were calculated.

The 3-dimensional reconstruction images showed that 1- and 3-week-old biofilms adhered to bovine dentin discs. The proportions of dead cells increased significantly with the longer exposure in each treatment group (P < .05). Modified nonequilibrium plasma was the most effective in killing bacteria in E. faecalis and multispecies biofilms at both 2 and 5 minutes (P < .05). No significant difference was detected between nonequilibrium plasma and CHX groups (P > .05). Significantly more cells were killed in 1-week-old biofilms than in 3-week-old biofilms in all groups (P < .05).

The modified nonequilibrium plasma killed more bacteria than conventional nonequilibrium plasma and 2% CHX in E. faecalis and multispecies endodontic biofilms in vitro and thus shows promise as an additional tool in infection control during endodontic treatment.