Contamination of Dental Waterlines: Efficacy of Seven Waterline Treatments and Three In-office Bacteria Test Kits

• Main Author: Davis, Adam
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2008
• Subjects: DUWL; Waterline; Biofilm; Test Kit; Dentistry; Endodontics and Endodontology; Medicine and Health Sciences
• Online Access: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1581; http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2580&context=etd

This study compared seven dental unit water line (DUWL) treatments and three in-office bacteria test kits. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 1:10 in tap water weekly; 3 drops of NaOCl in 1 liter of water; Dentapure® DP 40; ICX™ tablet; Sterilex® Ultra powder; Lines™; and Selective Micro® Dental-Clean. Traditional culture technique was compared to HPC Dental Sampler; Aquasafe™ Dental Unit Water Line Test Kit; and Bacteria in Water Test Kit. Eight dental units in the Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Endodontic Clinic were randomly assigned treatment regimens. Samples were taken weekly initially and after flushing for 1 minute. In conclusion NaOCl hypochlorite 1:10 in tap water once weekly, Sterilex® Ultra, Lines™, and Selective Micro® Dental-Clean were effective at all sample times while ICX™, 3 drops of NaOCl, and Dentapure® DP 40 were only effective after 1 minute flushing. There was no significant difference between the in-office test kits and traditional culture.