Non-Invasive Physical Plasma Treatment after Tooth Extraction in a Patient on Antiresorptive Medication Promotes Tissue Regeneration

Can Cold Atmospheric Plasma Be Used for Infection Control in Burns? A Preclinical Evaluation

Wound infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a serious complication and is responsible for higher rates of mortality in burn patients. Because of the resistance of PA to many antibiotics and antiseptics, an effective treatment is difficult. As a possible alternative, cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) can be considered for treatment, as antibacterial effects are known from some types of CAP. Hence, we preclinically tested the CAP device PlasmaOne and found that CAP was effective against PA in various test systems. CAP induced an accumulation of nitrite, nitrate, and hydrogen peroxide, combined with a decrease in pH in agar and solutions, which could be responsible for the antibacterial effects. In an ex vivo contamination wound model using human skin, a reduction in microbial load of about 1 log₁₀ level was observed after 5 min of CAP treatment as well as an inhibition of biofilm formation. However, the efficacy of CAP was significantly lower when compared with commonly used antibacterial wound irrigation solutions. Nevertheless, a clinical use of CAP in the treatment of burn wounds is conceivable on account of the potential resistance of PA to common wound irrigation solutions and the possible wound healing-promoting effects of CAP.

Non-Invasive Physical Plasma Generated by a Medical Argon Plasma Device Induces the Expression of Regenerative Factors in Human Gingival Keratinocytes, Fibroblasts, and Tissue Biopsies

After oral surgery, intraoral wound healing and tissue regeneration is an important factor for the success of the entire therapy. In recent years, non-invasive medical plasma (NIPP) has been shown to accelerate wound healing, which would be particularly beneficial for patients with wound healing disorders. Since the application of NIPP in dentistry has not been sufficiently understood, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a medical argon plasma device on gingival cells. Human gingival fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and tissue biopsies were treated with NIPP for different durations. Crucial markers associated with wound healing were examined at the mRNA and protein levels by real-time PCR, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. NIPP treatment led to an increase in Ki67 and MMP1 at mRNA and protein levels. NIPP application lasting longer than 60 s resulted in an increase in apoptotic genes at mRNA level and superficial damage to the epithelium in the tissue biopsies. Overall, our experimental setup demonstrated that NIPP application times of 30 s were most suitable for the treatment of gingival cells and tissue biopsies. Our study provides evidence for potential use of NIPP in dentistry, which would be a promising treatment option for oral surgery.