title: Biofilm removal and antimicrobial activity of two different air-polishing powders: an in vitro study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biofilm removal plays a central role in the prevention of periodontal and peri-implant diseases associated with microbial infections. Plaque debridement may be accomplished by air polishing using abrasive powders. In this study, a new formulation consisting of erythritol and chlorhexidine is compared with the standard glycine powder used in air-polishing devices. Their in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacteroides fragilis, and Candida albicans are investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biofilm was allowed to grow on sandblasted titanium disks and air polished with glycine or erythritol-chlorhexidine powders. A semiquantitative analysis of biofilm by spectrophotometric assay was performed. A qualitative analysis was also carried out by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum microbicidal concentrations were evaluated, together with the microbial recovery from the residual biofilm after air-polishing treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combination of erythritol and chlorhexidine displayed stronger antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity than glycine against all microbial strains tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Air polishing with erythritol-chlorhexidine seems to be a viable alternative to the traditional glycine treatment for biofilm removal.
authors: Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Microbiology; Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalisation and Health Care (IRCCS); Galeazzi Orthopaedic Institute; Milan, Italy.
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Drago
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Del Fabbro
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Bortolin
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Vassena
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: De Vecchi
authors: Silvio
authors: S
authors: Taschieri
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058491:Bacterial Load; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000187:drug effects; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D004896:Erythritol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D005998:Glycine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D011208:Powders; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011208:Powders; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014025:Titanium; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D004896:Erythritol; D005998:Glycine
keywords: Anti-infective agents; biofilms; dental polishing; erythritol; peri-implantitis; periodontitis