Abstract
The chemical decontamination of infected dental implants is essential for the successful treatment of peri-implantitis. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial effect of a hydrogen peroxide-titanium dioxide (H2O2–TiO2) suspension against Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. Titanium (Ti) coins were inoculated with a bioluminescent S. epidermidis strain for 8 h and subsequently exposed to H2O2 with and without TiO2 nanoparticles or chlorhexidine (CHX). Bacterial regrowth, bacterial load and viability after decontamination were analyzed by continuous luminescence monitoring, live/dead staining and scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial regrowth was delayed on surfaces treated with H2O2–TiO2 compared to H2O2. H2O2-based treatments resulted in a lower bacterial load compared to CHX. Few viable bacteria were found on surfaces treated with H2O2 and H2O2–TiO2, which contrasted with a uniform layer of dead bacteria for surfaces treated with CHX. H2O2–TiO2 suspensions could therefore be considered an alternative approach in the decontamination of dental implants.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Heidi A. Åmdal (Department of Oral Biology, University of Oslo) for technical laboratory assistance and Michael Otto for kindly providing them with S. epidermidis Xen 43 at no charge.