Abstract

PLASMA EMPOWERING DENTISTRY

Dr. Sankalita Pal*, Dr. Ipsita Maity, Dr. Priti D. Desai and Dr. Sriparna Jana

Abstract

Plasma which is considered to be the fourth state of matter is a cloud of proton, neutron and electron. Due to the use of constant energy by stripping electrons, plasmas are naturally energetic. Plasma is of two types: thermal and non-thermal (NTP) or cold atmospheric plasma. Electrons and heavy particles are present at the same temperature in Thermal plasma. Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) is non-thermal because it has electron at a hotter temperature than the heavy particles that are at room temperature. Active plasma ions, electrons, and photons have the ability to activate and control biochemical procedures. CAP has the power to cause deactivation of microorganism, death of cancer cell, detachment of cells. For this reason there have been attempts to apply plasma technology and find effectiveness of CAP in various fields of dentistry such as surface modifications of dental implants, enhanced adhesion of restorative materials, sterilization of endodontic files and other surgical instruments, root canal disinfection, polymerization of composite resin, post surface treatment, tooth bleaching. Therefore CAP has a bright future in dentistry. This review article demonstrates contemporary aspects of plasma application in dentistry.

Keywords: Cold Atmospheric Plasma, Thermal Plasma, Dielectric Barrier Discharge.