Oral bacterial decontamination using an innovative prototype for photocatalytic disinfection

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a prototype photocatalytic device for bacterial decontaminations of the oral cavity. Methods: Sixty-four subjects (18–65) were selected and randomly assigned to eight groups (n = 8), according to oral disinfection protocol: (G1): distilled water (control); (G2): 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP); (G3): 3.0% HP; (G4): 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX); (G5): Germinator; (G6): 1.5% HP + Germinator; (G7): 3.0%HP + Germinator; (G8): 0.12% CHX + Germinator. Stimulated saliva was collected before and after a 3-min mouthwash and/or Germinator application. The patients were kept relaxed and retained saliva 5–10 min, spitting out into the tube for 3 min. The percentage bacterial reduction was checked by counting the colony-forming units (CFUs) after culturing on blood agar plates. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 5%) for statistical significance. Results: The highest bacterial reduction was observed in groups 3 (3.0% HP), 6 (1.5% HP + Germinator), and 7 (3.0% + Germinator), with no statistically significant difference between them (p > 0.05). Groups 6 (1.5% HP + Germinator) and 8 (0.12% CHX + Germinator) showed higher bacterial reduction than groups 2 (1.5% HP) and 4 (0.12% CHX) (p < 0.05). Finally, group 5 (Germinator) showed higher bacterial reduction than control group (DW) and group 4 (0.12% CHX) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The photocatalytic disinfection was effective against oral bacteria and improved the antimicrobial action of 1.5% HP and 0.12%. Clinical significance. The photocatalytic disinfection can be an alternative protocol to provide the oral decontamination.