In Vitro Biofilm Removal From Human Enamel Using a Philips® Sonicare® Power Flosser.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Microbiology
• Dental Science

Background:

• Dental biofilm accumulation contributes to various oral health issues.
• Effective removal of dental biofilm is crucial for maintaining oral hygiene.
• Novel devices are needed to enhance biofilm disruption and removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the in vitro removal efficacy of dental biofilm from human enamel.
• To evaluate the performance of the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser with Quad Stream nozzle.
• To assess bacterial reduction following treatment with the oral irrigator.

Main Methods:

• Human enamel disks were inoculated with pooled human saliva to create a 4-day dental biofilm model.
• Biofilm volume was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Bacterial cell density and remaining bacteria were quantified using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM); scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also employed.

Main Results:

• Before treatment, dense biofilms approximately 0.2 mm thick were observed.
• After a 3-second treatment with the Quad Stream nozzle, only scattered bacteria remained.
• Quantitative analysis revealed a 99.96% removal rate of bacteria by the device.

Conclusions:

• The Philips Sonicare Power Flosser, utilizing the Quad Stream nozzle, demonstrates exceptional efficacy in removing dental biofilm.
• The device significantly reduces bacterial load in an established in vitro biofilm model.
• This oral irrigator represents a highly effective tool for disrupting and removing dental biofilm from enamel surfaces.