title: Effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound on Enterococcus faecalis planktonic suspensions and biofilms.
abstract: In this study, the effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on Enterococcus faecalis on both planktonic suspensions and biofilms was investigated. E. faecalis persist in secondary dental infections as biofilms. Glass-bottom Petri dishes with biofilms were centered at the focal point of the HIFU wave generated by a 250-kHz transducer. Specimens were subjected to HIFU exposure at different periods of 30, 60 and 120 s. The viable bacteria, removal effect and bacterial viability of biofilms attached to the Petri dish surface were studied by colony-forming units (CFUs), scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy, respectively. The removal and bactericidal effects of HIFU are dependent on the exposure time. A significant reduction in biofilm thickness and CFU was found with the increase in HIFU exposure. The removal or bactericidal effect of HIFU was more significant starting from 60 s of exposure. This study highlighted the potential application of HIFU as a novel method for root canal disinfection.
authors: Discipline of Prosthodontics, Operative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore.
authors: Kulsum
authors: K
authors: Iqbal
authors: Siew-Wan
authors: SW
authors: Ohl
authors: Boo-Cheong
authors: BC
authors: Khoo
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Neo
authors: Amr S
authors: AS
authors: Fawzy
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D057086:High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage