IADR Abstract Archives
Irrigation Additive Reduces Aerosolisation From Ultrasonic Scalers
Objectives: Ultrasonic scaling produces significant aerosol and droplet contamination, potentially containing pathogens. The objective of this study was to evaluate irrigation solutions containing the thickening agent, xanthan gum, to reduce aerosolisation.
Methods: Three irrigation solutions were tested. Each contained fluorescein sodium as a tracer (2.65 mmol L-1) and either 0%, 0.4% or 0.6% xanthan gum. A magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler (Cavitron Select SPS, Dentsply Sirona) was positioned in the centre of an open plan clinic with ventilation of 7.14 ACH and operated for 5 minutes at the highest setting. Aerosol production was evaluated using: (1) an optical particle counter (OPC; 3016-IAQ, Lighthouse) to detect all aerosol; (2) a liquid cyclone air sampler (BioSampler, SKC Ltd.) to detect aerosolised fluorescein, which was quantified by spectrofluorometric analysis giving a measurement in relative fluorescence units (RFU). Both instruments were placed 60 cm from the scaler. Temperature of the irrigation solution was measured using a thermocouple placed 1 mm under the scaler tip. One-way ANOVA was used to compare conditions with Tukey’s post-hoc analysis (alpha= 0.05).
Results: Xanthan gum (0.4% and 0.6%) was effective in reducing aerosol production from the ultrasonic scaler. BioSampler analysis (which specifically detects aerosols from the source) demonstrated that the aerosol production with both 0.4% and 0.6% xanthan gum was not significantly different to a negative control (see table; p = 1). OPC data demonstrate minimal increases in detected aerosol particles at 0.4% and 0.6% compared to 0% xanthan gum. Temperature rises of the irrigating solution were significantly greater in the 0.4% and 0.6% xanthan solutions compared to 0% (see table; p<0.05).
Conclusions: Xanthan gum is effective in reducing aerosolisation from ultrasonic scalers when used as 0.4% and 0.6% solutions, but this reduces cooling capacity, and therefore may not be suitable for clinical application.
Methods: Three irrigation solutions were tested. Each contained fluorescein sodium as a tracer (2.65 mmol L-1) and either 0%, 0.4% or 0.6% xanthan gum. A magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler (Cavitron Select SPS, Dentsply Sirona) was positioned in the centre of an open plan clinic with ventilation of 7.14 ACH and operated for 5 minutes at the highest setting. Aerosol production was evaluated using: (1) an optical particle counter (OPC; 3016-IAQ, Lighthouse) to detect all aerosol; (2) a liquid cyclone air sampler (BioSampler, SKC Ltd.) to detect aerosolised fluorescein, which was quantified by spectrofluorometric analysis giving a measurement in relative fluorescence units (RFU). Both instruments were placed 60 cm from the scaler. Temperature of the irrigation solution was measured using a thermocouple placed 1 mm under the scaler tip. One-way ANOVA was used to compare conditions with Tukey’s post-hoc analysis (alpha= 0.05).
Results: Xanthan gum (0.4% and 0.6%) was effective in reducing aerosol production from the ultrasonic scaler. BioSampler analysis (which specifically detects aerosols from the source) demonstrated that the aerosol production with both 0.4% and 0.6% xanthan gum was not significantly different to a negative control (see table; p = 1). OPC data demonstrate minimal increases in detected aerosol particles at 0.4% and 0.6% compared to 0% xanthan gum. Temperature rises of the irrigating solution were significantly greater in the 0.4% and 0.6% xanthan solutions compared to 0% (see table; p<0.05).
Conclusions: Xanthan gum is effective in reducing aerosolisation from ultrasonic scalers when used as 0.4% and 0.6% solutions, but this reduces cooling capacity, and therefore may not be suitable for clinical application.