Abstract
In order to control the pathogenetic anaerobes in periodontal pockets, we have developed a device Air-jet irrigator: (AJ) which is able to spray both air and irrigant into the deep periodontal pockets.
The purposes of this study were to evaluate the accessibility of oxygen and irrigant into the deep pockets, and to examine the effect of AJ clinically and microbiologically.
The accessbility of the air and dye solution by AJ were assesssed using the model that is composed of agar and resazurine, and using the teeth programed to be extracted for progressive periodontitis, respectively. These preliminaly studies suggested that AJ could possess the capacity enough to deliver both oxygen and dye solution into periodontal pockets.
Concentrations of retylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in periodontal pockets were measured following spray. In such study, significant concentration of CPC was observed in periodontal pockets 30 minutes after the application.
On the other hand, the clinical and microbiological effects of AJ were also shown in home-care use, by using seven patients with periodontitis.
These findings suggest that AJ could be effective for the reduction of anaerobic bacteria in periodontal pockets, and for the improvement of clinical periodontal conditions.
