Efficacy of endodontic applications of ozone and low‐temperature atmospheric pressure plasma on root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis

This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of low‐temperature atmospheric pressure plasma (LTAPP) design and gaseous ozone delivery system with 2·5% NaOCl on Enterococcus faecalis in root canal walls and dentine tubules. The samples were divided into LTAPP (n = 12), ozone (n = 12), NaOCl (positive control, n = 12) and saline (negative control, n = 6) groups. Microbial samples were collected using paper points and dentin chips from root canals. Antimicrobial efficacy was assessed by counting the colony‐forming units of Ent. faecalis before and after each irrigation protocol. Data were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis, Wilcoxon signed‐rank, Friedman and Bonferroni t (Dunn's test)‐tests (P = 0·05). The microbial sampling with paper points showed antibacterial efficacy of NaOCl, LTAPP, ozone and saline in descending order, respectively (P