Antibacterial effect of hydrogen peroxide-titanium dioxide suspensions in the decontamination of rough titanium surfaces.

The chemical decontamination of infected dental implants is essential for the successful treatment of peri-implantitis. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial effect of a hydrogen peroxide-titanium dioxide (H(2)O(2)-TiO(2)) suspension against Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. Titanium (Ti) coins were inoculated with a bioluminescent S. epidermidis strain for 8 h and subsequently exposed to H(2)O(2) with and without TiO(2) nanoparticles or chlorhexidine (CHX). Bacterial regrowth, bacterial load and viability after decontamination were analyzed by continuous luminescence monitoring, live/dead staining and scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial regrowth was delayed on surfaces treated with H(2)O(2)-TiO(2) compared to H(2)O(2). H(2)O(2)-based treatments resulted in a lower bacterial load compared to CHX. Few viable bacteria were found on surfaces treated with H(2)O(2) and H(2)O(2)-TiO(2), which contrasted with a uniform layer of dead bacteria for surfaces treated with CHX. H(2)O(2)-TiO(2) suspensions could therefore be considered an alternative approach in the decontamination of dental implants.