Cold plasma jets found useful against oral bacteria

LEIPZIG, Germany: The use of cold plasma jets could soon enhance anti-infectious treatment measures in dentistry, studies released by a team of German experts indicate. Recent data gathered by scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Surface Modification in Leipzig and the Saarland University Dental Hospital in Homburg has shown increased effectiveness of atmospheric plasma for the treatment of tooth surfaces and infected oral tissue. The technology could significantly improve the treatment of oral diseases, the researchers told Dental Tribune.

Cold plasma jets are ionised local gas flows, which are triggered by microwaves in plasma jet sources using inert gases, such as argon, helium or nitrogen. Adding those gases under normal atmospheric pressure produces reactive oxygen species that react with surfaces and are capable of changing it.

Currently, hot plasma jets are used in an increasing number of medical applications, including disinfecting surgical instruments. Their high temperatures, however, prevent them from being used for the treatment of human body tissue.

According to Dr Stefan Rupf who is a lead researcher from the Saarland University Dental Hospital in Homburg, the application of cold plasma jets will allow significantly smoother treatment compared to mechanical removal with dental instruments. “Dental pulp in the centre of the tooth is linked to the blood supplies and nerves, therefore, heat damage must be avoided at all costs.” he said. “The low temperature of the cold plasma jets means they can kill the microbes while preserving the tooth.“

Tooth surface become nonetheless permeable for medication, he added.

The research, which won an award in a Competition for Innovation in Medicine Technology in 2006, was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The researchers also published their results in the February issue of the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

(Edited by Daniel Zimmermann, DTI, Translation provided by Annemarie Fischer)