Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Ultrasonic Liquid Coolants on Dental Aerosols.

INTRODUCTION: Dentists are more prone for developing infectious diseases especially related to respiratory system. The ultrasonic scaler which is a major source of dental aerosol production is most frequently used contrivance in a dental set up.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of povidone iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate as an ultrasonic liquid coolant on aerosols in comparison with distilled water. The objectives of this study were to compare the potency of povidone iodine and chlorhexidine gluconate on reducing dental aerosols and quantitative assessment of microbial content of dental aerosols at right, left and behind the dental chair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study 30 subjects were selected who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were divided into three groups. Group 1 (Control group): Ultrasonic scaling with distilled water (10 subjects), Group 2 (Test group): Ultrasonic scaling with 2% povidone iodine (10 subjects), Group 3 (Test group): Ultrasonic scaling with 0.12% chlorhexidine (10 subjects). At the baseline one blood agar plate was kept for 10 minutes in the fumigated chamber before ultrasonic scaling, thereafter three blood agar plates were kept at a distance of 0.4 meters away on either side of the patient and 2 meters behind the patient's mouth during ultrasonic scaling. Blood agar plates were kept for gravitometric settling of dental aerosols.

RESULTS: At baseline, no significant numbers of Colony-Forming Units (CFU) were detected. It is found that Group 3 (chlorhexidine gluconate) showed effective CFU reduction (27.17 ±12.5 CFU) when compared to distilled water (124.5 ± 30.08 CFU) and povidone iodine (60.43 ± 33.33 CFU). More CFU were found on blood agar plates which were kept on right side in all the three groups. The results obtained were statistically significant (p< 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Chlorhexidine gluconate is more effective in reducing dental aerosols when compared to povidone iodine and distilled water. Povidone iodine showed better CFU reduction when compared with distilled water. Hence, chlorhexidine or povidone iodine can also be used as an ultrasonic liquid coolant for reducing the number of dental aerosols during ultrasonic scaling.