A novel negative airflow aerosol chamber minimized aerosol transmission during ultrasonic scaling: A laboratory investigation

Main Article Content

Wannee Lertsooksawat
Sivaporn Horsophonphong
Yada Chestsuttayangkul

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel negative airflow aerosol chamber in reducing aerosols and droplets during ultrasonic scaling.


Materials and Methods: We created a new protective chamber for minimizing the bioaerosols generated during dental treatment. The negative airflow aerosol chamber comprised a hexagonal-steel frame with a reusable plastic drape connected to an air-purifier to create negative air flow. The effectiveness of the negative airflow aerosol chamber was evaluated using a dental manikin model fixed on a dental chair head rest. Ultrasonic scaling was performed for 10 minutes using an ultrasonic scaler supplied with a L. acidophilus suspension to evaluate the dissemination of dental aerosols generated during scaling with or without the negative airflow aerosol chamber. Culture plates containing De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar were placed at 5 positions in the dental operating room. Scaling was performed and the plates were left exposed for 20 minutes after scaling was completed. The plates were incubated at 37±0.5°C for 48 hours in an anaerobic environment. The bacterial colonies were counted and reported as colony forming units per plate (CFU/plate).


Results: The bacterial colonies were detected at all positions. The negative airflow aerosol chamber significantly decreased the number of bacterial colonies at all sampling sites (p<0.05). Moreover, when using the negative airflow aerosol chamber, the total colonies were reduced by 86.63±9.86%.


Conclusion: The negative airflow aerosol chamber is effective in reducing the dental bioaerosols created during ultrasonic scaling.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Lertsooksawat W, Horsophonphong S, Chestsuttayangkul Y. A novel negative airflow aerosol chamber minimized aerosol transmission during ultrasonic scaling: A laboratory investigation. M Dent J [Internet]. 2022 Mar. 23 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];42(1):47-54. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/mdentjournal/article/view/255669
Section
Original articles

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