Research Information System University of Greifswald

Evert K*, Kocher T¹, Schindler A, Müller M, Müller K, Pink C², Holtfreter B¹, Schmidt A, Dombrowski F³, Schubert A, von Woedtke T⁴, Rupf S, Calvisi D, Bekeschus S, Jablonowski L¹

1 - Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde / Poliklinik für Zahnerhaltung,Parodontologie, Endodontologie; Präventive Zahnmedizin und Kinderzahnheilkunde

2 - Zentrum für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde / Poliklinik für Kieferorthopädie

3 - Institut für Pathologie

4 - Institut für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin

Peri-implantitis may result in the loss of dental implants. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) was suggested to promote re-osseointegration, decrease antimicrobial burden, and support wound healing. However, the long-term risk assessment of CAP treatment in the oral cavity has not been addressed. Treatment with two different CAP devices was compared against UV radiation, carcinogen administration, and untreated conditions over 12 months. Histological analysis of 406 animals revealed that repeated CAP exposure did not foster non-invasive lesions or squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs). Carcinogen administration promoted non-invasive lesions and SCCs. Molecular analysis by a qPCR screening of 144 transcripts revealed distinct inflammatory profiles associated with each treatment regimen. Interestingly, CAP treatment of carcinogen-challenged mucosa did not promote but instead left unchanged or reduced the proportion of non-invasive lesions and SCC formation. In conclusion, repeated CAP exposure of murine oral mucosa was well tolerated, and carcinogenic effects did not occur, motivating CAP applications in patients for dental and implant treatments in the future.