J Adv Prosthodont.  2013 Feb;5(1):2-8. 10.4047/jap.2013.5.1.2.

Sterilization effect of atmospheric pressure non-thermal air plasma on dental instruments

• Sung SJ
• Huh JB
• Yun MJ
• Chang BM
• Jeong CM
• Jeon YC

• KMID: 2284765
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jap.2013.5.1.2

Abstract

PURPOSE
Autoclaves and UV sterilizers have been commonly used to prevent cross-infections between dental patients and dental instruments or materials contaminated by saliva and blood. To develop a dental sterilizer which can sterilize most materials, such as metals, rubbers, and plastics, the sterilization effect of an atmospheric pressure non-thermal air plasma device was evaluated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
After inoculating E. coli and B. subtilis the diamond burs and polyvinyl siloxane materials were sterilized by exposing them to the plasma for different lengths of time (30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and, 240 seconds). The diamond burs and polyvinyl siloxane materials were immersed in PBS solutions, cultured on agar plates and quantified by counting the colony forming units. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and significance was assessed by the LSD post hoc test (alpha=0.05).
RESULTS
The device was effective in killing E. coli contained in the plasma device compared with the UV sterilizer. The atmospheric pressure non-thermal air plasma device contributed greatly to the sterilization of diamond burs and polyvinyl siloxane materials inoculated with E. coli and B. subtilis. Diamond burs and polyvinyl siloxane materials inoculated with E. coli was effective after 60 and 90 seconds. The diamond burs and polyvinyl siloxane materials inoculated with B. subtilis was effective after 120 and 180 seconds.
CONCLUSION
The atmospheric pressure non-thermal air plasma device was effective in killing both E. coli and B. subtilis, and was more effective in killing E. coli than the UV sterilizer.

Keyword

Sterilization; Cross Infections; Non-thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma; Bacteria

MeSH Terms

Agar
Atmospheric Pressure
Bacteria
Cross Infection
Dental Instruments
Diamond
Homicide
Humans
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Metals
Plasma
Plasma Gases
Plastics
Polyvinyls
Rubber
Saliva
Siloxanes
Stem Cells
Sterilization
Agar
Diamond
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Metals
Plasma Gases
Plastics
Polyvinyls
Rubber
Siloxanes

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Schematic view of an atmospheric pressure non-thermal air plasma device. A: The frontal view, B: The rear view.

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  Fig. 2 Schematic view of a UV sterilizer.

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  Fig. 3 Inoculated material. A: Diamond bur, B: Polyvinyl siloxane.

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  Fig. 4 Survival curve (CFU/mL) of E. coli after treatment with an atmospheric pressure non-thermal air plasma device as a function of treatment time.

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  Fig. 5 Survival curve (CFU/mL) of B. subtilis after treatment with an atmospheric pressure non-thermal air plasma device as a function of treatment time.

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