Dirk Mohn and Professor Wendelin Stark, in cooperation with Thomas Imfeld from the Center of Dental Medicine of the University of Zurich, wanted to develop a non-invasive, efficient and careful method for the treatment of inflammatory reactions derived from the presence of microorganisms around dental implants.

During the in vitro approach, the scientists used two dental implants, covered with a biofilm of a particular bacteria which were placed in photographic gelatin prepared with physiological saline. Then the implants were treated with a continuous current of 0 - 10 mA for 15 minutes. In a series of tests the scientists were able to show that the acidic environment generated by an electrolytic propcedure around the anodic implant could
kill most of the bacteria with a current of only 7.5 mA.

More information:
Mohn D, Zehnder M, Stark WJ, Imfeld T (2011): Electrochemical Disinfection of Dental Implants – a Proof of Concept. PLoS ONE 6(1): e16157. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0016157

Contact:
ETH Zürich
Institut für Chemie- und Bioingenieurwissenschaften
Dirk Mohn
Phone:+41 44 633 45 14
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