ABSTRACT
Aim of the study: This doctorial work aims to assess the efficacy of Er: YAG photoacoustic irrigation for biofilm disinfection and removal from titanium surfaces, which could improve the effectiveness of existing cleaning methods of dental implants and thus the treatment of peri-implant diseases.
Hypotheses: In this work, the following hypotheses were tested:
• Er: YAG photoacoustic irrigation improves the efficacy of antimicrobial agents in biofilm grown on titanium surfaces.
• Compared to single laser pulses (SSP), dual laser pulses (AutoSWEEPS) are more effective in removing biofilm from titanium surfaces in narrow spatial geometries.
According to the existing literature the proposed hypotheses have not been experimentally tested yet.
Rationale: The number of inserted dental implants is increasing year by year, as is also the incidence of peri-implant diseases. There are several methods for cleaning and disinfecting dental implants, but their effectiveness is not satisfactory. Dental implant biofilms thus pose a serious problem in medicine. In this thesis, we have used standard antimicrobial agents for peri-implant diseases treatment alone and in combination with laser-induced cavitation. We have implemented an endodontic-style Er: YAG photoacoustic irrigation to remove biofilms from the titanium surfaces and modified it for the use in peri-implant diseases.
Research design, description of methods, subjects: We have used titanium disks on which we have grown Enterococcus faecalis biofilm and different model systems for photoacoustic irrigation. The biofilms have been treated with various antimicrobial agents and saline solution either alone or in a combination with different Er: YAG laser modalities (SSP and AutoSWEEPS). The efficiency of disinfection and removing biofilms from titanium surfaces has been verified using biofilms vital staining and laser confocal scanning microscopy. No subjects have been used in the experiments.
Results: The use of Er: YAG photoacoustic irrigation improves the performance of antimicrobial agents in biofilms grown on titanium surfaces. Compared to single laser pulses (SSP), dual laser pulses (AutoSWEEPS) are more effective in disinfecting and removing biofilms from titanium surfaces in narrow spatial geometries. The new method could, in combination with the existing dental implant cleaning methods, improve the outcome of the treatment of peri-implant diseases.
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