Electrochemical Disinfection of Root Canals Bears No Risk of Damaging Periapical Tissues in a Dog Model

At a Glance

Metadata	Details
Publication Date	2023-07-15
Journal	Applied Sciences
Authors	Maximilian Koch, Elena Demmer, Victor Palarie, Andreas Burkovski, Matthias Karl
Institutions	Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Saarland University
Analysis	Full AI Review Included

Technical Documentation & Analysis: Boron-Doped Diamond for Electrochemical Disinfection

Executive Summary

This documentation analyzes the research demonstrating the safety and efficacy of Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) electrodes for electrochemical disinfection in endodontics, highlighting 6CCVD’s capability to supply the necessary advanced diamond materials.

Core Achievement: BDD electrodes successfully performed electrochemical disinfection of root canals in a dog model without introducing a greater risk of host tissue damage compared to conventional chemical irrigants (NaOCl, H${2}$O${2}$, CHX).
Mechanism Validation: The disinfection relies on the generation of potent, transient hydroxyl (OH) radicals, confirming BDD’s role as a high-performance electrochemical anode.
Safety Profile: In vitro cell viability assays (HeLa cells) showed that the effect of BDD treatment is transient, resulting in significantly higher cell survival rates (~45% viability for indirect treatment) compared to persistent chemical solutions (< 5% viability for 3% NaOCl).
Clinical Relevance: Radiographic and histological analysis confirmed no statistically significant difference in periapical radiolucency between conventionally treated teeth and those additionally treated with BDD electrodes.
Material Requirement: The study necessitates high-quality, conductive, and chemically inert Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) material, a core product specialty of 6CCVD.
Future Outlook: The findings support the continued development of BDD-based electrochemical methods as a safe and highly effective alternative for endodontic and peri-implantitis disinfection.

Technical Specifications

The following hard data points were extracted from the experimental methodology and results, focusing on the operational parameters of the BDD electrodes and the resulting biological outcomes.

Parameter	Value	Unit	Context
Electrode Material	Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD)	N/A	Used in structured ceramic form for electrochemical disinfection.
Active Surface Area (Direct)	0.0325 (3 x 4)	cm² (mm)	Used for direct application in cell culture and root canals.
Active Surface Area (Indirect)	6 x 8	mm	Used for pre-treating PBS buffer solution.
Potentiostatic Voltage Range	6 to 9	V	Applied for 2.5 min in cell culture experiments.
Amperostatic Current	50	mA	Applied for 5 min in cell culture experiments (Direct/Indirect).
Measured Current Range (6 V)	2 to 12	mA	Current observed during 6 V potentiostatic mode.
Measured Current Range (9 V)	11 to 34	mA	Current observed during 9 V potentiostatic mode.
Charge Density Range (In Vivo)	62.3 to 277	As cm^-2	Total charge applied during root canal treatment in the dog model.
Cell Viability (BDD Direct, 9 V)	< 5	%	Viability of HeLa cells after 2.5 min direct treatment.
Cell Viability (BDD Indirect)	~45	%	Viability of HeLa cells after 5 min treatment with pre-treated PBS (demonstrates transient radical effect).
Cell Viability (NaOCl 3%)	< 5	%	Viability of HeLa cells after 5 min treatment with conventional irrigant.
Statistical Significance (BDD vs. Conventional)	p = 0.940 (Vertical)	N/A	No significant difference in histological radiolucency between BDD sealed and conventional sealed groups.

Key Methodologies

The study employed a combination of in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal trials to assess the risk of host tissue damage from BDD electrochemical disinfection.

Electrode Fabrication: Structured ceramic BDD electrodes were utilized, featuring active surface areas of 3 x 4 mm (direct application) and 6 x 8 mm (indirect application).
In Vitro Setup: HeLa cells were cultured in 48-well plates and treated with 0.5 mL of PBS overlaying the cells.
Potentiostatic Treatment: Direct BDD application was performed for 2.5 minutes across a range of 6 V to 9 V, resulting in currents from 2 mA to 34 mA.
Amperostatic Treatment: Direct BDD application was performed at a constant 50 mA for 5 minutes (requiring 6-7 V).
Indirect Treatment (Transient Test): BDD electrodes were used to pretreat 3 mL of PBS at 50 mA (10-12 V). 0.5 mL of this pretreated PBS was then applied to the cells for 5 minutes to isolate the effect of transient oxidative species.
Chemical Controls: Cell viability was compared against standard endodontic irrigants, including 3% and 0.3% H${2}$O${2}$, 3% and 0.3% NaOCl, and 0.2% and 0.02% Chlorhexidine (CHX).
In Vivo Application: Root canal treatment was performed on maxillary incisors in a dog model. BDD electrodes were applied following chemo-mechanical protocols, using specific parameters (e.g., 5-6.6 V, 9-38 mA) for 145 to 360 seconds.
Outcome Assessment: Cell viability was measured using the Alamar Blue assay. Host tissue damage was quantified by determining the extent of periapical radiolucency using both occlusal radiographs and histomorphometric analysis of 70 µm thick sections.

6CCVD Solutions & Capabilities

6CCVD is uniquely positioned to support and advance research in electrochemical disinfection using diamond materials. The successful replication and scaling of this technology require highly controlled, custom-engineered Boron-Doped Diamond (BDD) components, which are a core specialty of our MPCVD manufacturing process.

Research Requirement	6CCVD Solution & Capability	Technical Advantage for End-Users
High-Performance BDD Material	Heavy Boron-Doped PCD Wafers/Plates.	Provides the high conductivity and chemical stability necessary for efficient electrochemical generation of OH radicals, ensuring reliable disinfection performance.
Custom Electrode Dimensions	Precision Laser Cutting and Shaping.	We supply plates/wafers up to 125mm, custom-cut to the exact small geometries (e.g., 3x4 mm, 6x8 mm) required for specialized dental instruments and root canal insertion.
Structured/Thick Substrates	Custom Substrate Thickness (up to 10mm).	We offer robust diamond substrates up to 10mm thick, ideal for creating durable, structured ceramic electrodes suitable for repeated clinical or laboratory use.
Electrical Integration	Advanced In-House Metalization.	Internal capability for depositing custom metal contacts (Au, Pt, Ti, W, Cu) ensures reliable, low-resistance electrical connection for precise potentiostatic and amperostatic control in aqueous environments.
Biocompatible Surface Finish	Ultra-High Quality Polishing.	We achieve surface roughness (Ra) < 5nm on inch-size PCD, critical for maximizing biocompatibility, minimizing debris accumulation, and ensuring smooth insertion into delicate biological structures like root canals.
Global Supply Chain	Global Shipping (DDU/DDP).	Reliable, fast delivery of custom diamond components to research institutions and manufacturers worldwide.

Engineering Support

6CCVD’s in-house PhD team specializes in the material science and electrochemistry of diamond. We can assist engineers and scientists with material selection, doping concentration optimization, and electrode design for similar biomedical applications, including:

Optimizing BDD doping levels for maximum OH radical yield at specific voltages.
Designing custom geometries for minimally invasive surgical tools.
Developing multi-layer metalization schemes for long-term stability in saline/biological fluids.

For custom specifications or material consultation, visit 6ccvd.com or contact our engineering team directly.

View Original Abstract

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes have been advocated as a potential treatment alternative to the established methods for root canal disinfection. As healing of periapical tissue is important in this context, the associated risk of host tissue damage was to be evaluated. Following in vitro cell culture experiments (HeLa cells), root canal treatment was performed in an animal trial comparing BDD electrode application and the currently used rinsing media with respect to cell viability and host tissue damage. Statistical analyses comparing the size of radiolucency were based on Kruskal-Wallis and Nemenyi’s All Pairs tests (α = 0.05). The direct application of BDD electrodes had a time-dependent effect on cell viability comparable to H2O2, NaOCl, and CHX application. In contrast to the chemical treatment, the effect of BDD electrodes was transient. Conventionally treated teeth and teeth additionally treated with BDD electrodes did not significantly differ from each other with respect to the size of the periapical radiolucency as observed radiographically (vertical p = 0.998 and horizontal p = 0.878) and histologically (vertical p = 0.940 and horizontal p = 0.862). While showing greater disinfection efficiency, the application of BDD electrodes for the electrochemical disinfection of root canals does not have a greater risk of host tissue damage compared to the conventional treatment.

Tech Support

Original Source

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148228

References

2022 - Periapical healing following root canal treatment using different endodontic sealers: A systematic review [Crossref]
2016 - Assessment of treatment failure in endodontic therapy [Crossref]
2014 - Ability of new obturation materials to improve the seal of the root canal system: A review [Crossref]
2006 - Healing of apical periodontitis after endodontic treatment with and without obturation in dogs [Crossref]
2011 - Persistent extraradicular infection in root-filled asymptomatic human tooth: Scanning electron microscopic analysis and microbial investigation after apical microsurgery [Crossref]
2016 - Evaluation of root canal configuration of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth using cone beam computed tomography: An in-vivo study
2005 - The effect of high-frequency electrical pulses on organic tissue in root canals [Crossref]
2018 - Electrochemical removal of biofilms from titanium dental implant surfaces [Crossref]