Experimental study of the antibacterial effect of anodic dissolution of a copper electrode used in endodontic treatment of teeth

BACKGROUND: One of the possible ways to improve the quality of dental treatment with obliterated root canals is the use of transcanal direct current exposure.

AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the comparative antibacterial activity of anodic dissolution of copper and silver-copper electrodes used in the endodontic treatment of teeth in the experiment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental study was performed by implementing a technique for the automatic cultivation of microorganisms in liquid culture media. We used for the study clinical isolates of individual strains of bacteria and yeasts, namely: S. constellatus, P. intermedia, C. albicans, as well as mixed cultures: 1) S. constellatus + F. nucleatum; 2) Streptococcus sanguis + Enterococcus faecium obtained from the root canals of the teeth during treatment of chronic pulpitis.

RESULTS: The results of the study showed that anodic dissolution of both silver-copper and copper electrodes had a significant and, in general, unidirectional antibacterial effect. At the same time, it was found that, if for clinical isolate of P. intermedia the use of a silver-copper electrode was more effective, then for S. constellatus and C. Albicans strains, as well as for mixed cultures of pathogenic microorganisms S. constellatus + F. nucleatum and Streptococcus sanguis + Enterococcus faecium anodic dissolution of a copper electrode showed a more pronounced antibacterial effect.

CONCLUSION: In endodontic treatment of teeth with partially obliterated root canals, along with anodic dissolution of silver-copper electrodes, it is possible to use anodic dissolution of copper electrodes as a means capable of having a pronounced antibacterial effect.