Plasma jets could replace the dentist's drill

The dentist drill could soon be a thing of the past. Plasma jets could be just as effective in the treatment of caries affected teeth - and a damn sight less painful. Firing low-temperature plasma jets on dentin - the fibrous structure beneath the tooth enamel - it was found that the level of dental bacteria to cut up to 10,000 times.

Scientists at the Leibniz Institute for Surface Modification changes and dentists from the University of Saarland zapped Common oral pathogens, including Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei with a plasma jet for 6, 12 or 18 seconds.


The longer the dentin was exposed to the plasma, were eliminated more bacteria.

Dr. Stefan plucking from the University of Saarland, said that the recent development was the cold plasmas of around 40 degrees Celsius great promise for use in dentistry.

The low temperature means that they kill the microbes while preserving the tooth. The pulp is in the middle of the tooth, including dentin, the blood supply and nerve damage associated with heat and must be avoided under all circumstances." Dr. Rupf said he was sure that would be disinfected with plasma technology caries are welcomed by patients and dentists.

Drilling is a very uncomfortable and sometimes painful experience," he said. "Cold Plasma, by contrast, is made an entirely non-contact method, which is very effective. Currently, there are a lot of progress in the field of plasma medicine, and clinical treatment of dental caries can be expected within three to five years.