The infection of dental implants may cause severe inflammation of tissue and even bone degradation if not treated. For titanium implants, a new, minimally invasive approach is the electrochemical removal of the biofilms including the disinfection of the metal surface. In this project, several parameters, such as electrode potentials and electrolyte compositions, were varied to understand the underlying mechanisms. Optimal electrolytes contained iodide as well as lactic acid. Electrochemical experiments, such as cyclic voltammetry or measurements of open circuit potentials, were performed in different cell set-ups to distinguish between different possible reactions. At the applied potentials of E < −1.4 V, the hydrogen evolution reaction dominated at the implant surface, effectively lifting off the bacterial films. In addition, several disinfecting species are formed at the anode, such as triiodide and hydrogen peroxide. Ex situ tests with model biofilms of E. coli clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the respective anolytes in killing the bacteria, as determined by the LIVE/DEAD™ assay.

Using optimized electrolysis parameters of 30 s at 7.0 V and 300 mA, a 14-day old wildtype biofilm could be completely removed from dental implants in vitro.

如果不进行治疗，牙种植体的感染可能会导致严重的组织炎症，甚至导致骨骼退化。对于钛植入物，一种新的，微创的方法是电化学去除生物膜，包括对金属表面进行消毒。在这个项目中，改变了几个参数，例如电极电势和电解质成分，以了解其潜在机理。最佳的电解质包含碘化物和乳酸。在不同的电池设置中进行了电化学实验，例如循环伏安法或开路电势的测量，以区分不同的可能反应。在E的施加电势下 <-1.4 V，在植入物表面占主导的氢释放反应有效地揭开了细菌膜。另外，在阳极处形成了几种消毒物质，例如三碘化物和过氧化氢。易地用的模型生物膜试验大肠杆菌清楚地表明各阳极电解液的有效性在杀死细菌，如通过LIVE / DEAD™测定法测定。

使用在7.0 V和300 mA下30 s的最佳电解参数，可以在体外从牙齿植入物中完全去除14天大的野生型生物膜。