AEROSOLS GENERATED DURING ENDODONTIC TREATMENTS: A SPECIAL CONCERN DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Bahador, Mason; Alfirdous, Rayyan A.; Alquria, Theeb A.; Griffin, Ina L.; Tordik, Patricia A.; Martinho, Frederico C.

AIMS: (1) To investigate aerosolized microorganisms generated during endodontic emergencies and non—surgical root canal therapy (NSRCT); (2) To assess how far airborne microbial spread; and (3) To verify the spatial distribution of airborne microbial spread. METHODS: A total of 45 endodontic procedures were sampled, including full pulpotomy (n=15), pulpectomy (n=15), and NSRCT (n=15). Samples were collected during room resting (s1) and after the treatment (s2). The passive air sampling technique using settle plates was applied. Agar plates were set at different locations in the operatory. The colony-forming unit (CFU) was counted in BHI blood agar plates. A set of agar plates containing selective chromogenic culture media was used for the isolation and presumptive identification of target microorganisms. Fungi were investigated using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. RESULTS: Pulpotomy generated the lowest mean CFU count (p<0.05). There was no difference between the mean CFU counts found in pulpectomy and NSRCT (p>0.05). A higher mean CFU count was found close to the patient’s mouth (0.5m) than at a 2m distance in pulpectomy and NSRCT (P<0.05). There was no difference between the mean CFU count found in front of the patient’s mouth versus diagonal in pulpectomy and NSRCT (p>0.05). S. aureus (22/ 45, 48.8%) was the most frequent bacteria species. Longer treatment times were associated with higher CFU counts. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that pulpotomy generates less aerosolized microorganisms than pulpectomy and NSRCT. Moreover, the proximity to the patient’s mouth and the treatment duration implicated in the level of contamination.