Cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet for tooth root canal disinfection

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cold atmospheric pressure plasma for endodontic treatment to sterilize tooth root canals which were infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Treatment of root canal infection is difficult, because it is difficult to penetrate irregular and narrow spaces, killing the pathogens; thus, infections frequently recur. Since plasma is reliable and user friendly, cold plasma treatment in comparison with other conventional methods such as using calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) has more efficiency in root canal therapy. Colony forming unit counting is used to investigate the effect of different treatment times and voltages with plasma on killing of bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy is used to examine the morphological changes of bacteria located on the root canal wall of the untreated and plasma treated group. Optical emission spectroscopy is employed to investigate the active spices which are generated in plasma.