Abstract
The oral cavity is a unique environment which can provide an ideal medium for bacterial
growth. Most of the procedures performed by dentist have the potential for creating
contaminated aerosols and splatter which contains bacteria, fungi, protozoa and even
blood borne viruses produced during dental operative procedures and thus promoting
an increased risk of cross infection. In dentistry, the ultrasonic scaler and the
air polisher are considered to be the greatest producers of small particle aerosol
contamination. Aerosols can remain airborne for extended periods of time and may be
inhaled and was also found that the microorganisms could survive in the aerosol produced
for as long as 6 days. The association of these aerosols with the respiratory infections,
opthalamic and skin infections, tuberculosis and hepatitis B have been reported.
Chlorhexidine is considered as the “Gold standard” of antimicrobial rinse because
of broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and substantivity of 8-12 hrs. This study
determined the efficacy of preprocedural rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthrinse
containing chlorhexidine in reducing the level of viable bacteria contained in aerosols
generated by ultrasonic scaling.
The results of the present study clearly indicate that pre-procedural mouth rinse
with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate was significantly effective in reducing the aerosol
contamination during use of ultrasonic scaling in dental practice Using a pre-procedural
rinse can significantly reduce the viable microbial content of dental aerosols.
Keywords
Aerosols - ultrasonic scaling - colony forming units
