Work

Rapid Removal of Enterococcus faecalis Biofilms Within Root Canals using High‐Frequency Pulsed Nonequilibrium Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets (N‐APPJ)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Enterococcus faecalis biofilms cause persistent endodontic failures. This study evaluates high‐frequency (100 kHz) pulsed non‐equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jets (N‐APPJ) for root canal disinfection. Compared to 8 kHz, 100 kHz excitation lowers breakdown voltage and enhances reactive species (RONS) production through higher power deposition. In synthetic models, 100 kHz N‐APPJ achieved a 5.3 log 10 CFU reduction within 10 min, exhibiting 2.1 times higher early‐stage bactericidal efficiency than the 8 kHz control. Ex vivo human tooth assays confirmed this superiority, with 100 kHz treatment kill 2 logs higher than the 8 kHz baseline. These results identify average power deposition as the critical factor for efficacy, establishing high‐frequency N‐APPJ as a rapid, potent modality for advanced endodontic biofilm eradication.

Source: Plasma Processes and Polymers

DOI: 10.1002/ppap.70264