An in-vitro study of the sterilization of titanium dental implants using low intensity UV-radiation.
OBJECTIVE
Commercial titanium dental implants are coated with nanostructured TiO2. The aim of the research reported in this paper was to assess whether the TiO2 at the surface of a dental implant is sufficiently photoactive to eradicate bacteria when illuminated with low intensity light.


METHODS
The photoactivity of dental implants was established by studies of the photoenhanced decomposition of Rhodamine B. In vitro studies to establish the influence of irradiating with UV light an implant that is immersed in a solution containing Escherichia Coli were performed.


RESULTS
It was demonstrated that under low UV intensity irradiation, 49 microW cm(-2), bacteria are killed at a rate of approximately 650 million per cm2 of implant per minute.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that illumination of dental implants with UV light may be a suitable treatment for periimplantitis.
Riley
D Jason
DJ
Fondazione Elba, Via delle Testuggini, Rome, Italy.
Bavastrello
Valter
V
Covani
Ugo
U
Barone
Antonio
A
Nicolini
Claudio
C
D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000528:radiation effects; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012235:Rhodamines; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods*; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D015921:Dental Implants; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D012235:Rhodamines; C009495:titanium dioxide; D014025:Titanium; C029773:rhodamine B