The effect of hydrogen peroxide/colloidal silver on reducing the colonization and growth of heterotrophic bacteria in dental unit waterlines


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Özalp M., Bulut Ö. E., ATAÇ A. S., Ekizoǧlu M., KART D., ÇELİK H. H., ...More

Turkish Journal of Biology, vol.37, no.3, pp.336-341, 2013 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 37 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.3906/biy-1204-23
  • Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Biology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.336-341
  • Keywords: Aerobic heterotrophic bacterial count, Biofilm, Dental unit waterlines, Hydrogen peroxide/colloidal silver
  • Yozgat Bozok University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate reduction in the colonization and growth of heterotrophic bacteria in dental unit waterlines by using hydrogen peroxide/colloidal silver as disinfectant. Twenty-seven dental units were included; 6 units that were more than 20 years old and 7 units that had been in use for 2 years comprised the old and new treatment groups, respectively. Fourteen units served as controls. The treatment groups were disinfected continuously and every 4 weeks shock doses were applied over a 20-week period. Water samples were taken before treatment, 1 and 2 weeks after treatment, and thereafter every 4 weeks; then they were inoculated onto R2A agar plates. While 1-16-week results for the old treatment group showed total heterotrophic bacterial counts of higher than 1 × 105 cfu/mL, at 20 weeks they were below 7.5 × 102 cfu/mL. Only 2 units were able to reach levels of ≤200 cfu/ mL, which is the dental unit water quality standard. For the new treatment group it was achieved for all units after 1 week. Electron microscopic analysis also revealed that while biofilm formation was more evident in the old treatment group, after a longer treatment period biofilms were eliminated completely. The findings indicate that disinfection was effective in improving the output water quality using hydrogen peroxide/colloidal silver disinfectant. © TÜBİTAK.