In vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial action of ozonated water on Staphylococcus spp. present in dental stainless- steel surfaces

Purpose: This in vitro study investigated whether ozonated water has antimicrobial action on Staphylococcus spp. present on the surfaces of stainless-steel trays used in dentistry. Methods: The experiment consisted of 4 groups, two with mechanical disinfection with gauze soaked in ozonized water (OWG) or 70° ethyl alcohol (EAG), and two control groups without intervention (CG) or with simulated disinfection with 0.9% saline solution, placebo group (PG). Each group consisted of 10 stainless steel trays contaminated with strains of Staphylococcus spp. After microbiological reconstitution, serial dilutions between 10-1 and 10-5 of the samples were performed for seeding in Petri dishes and incubation at 37°C for 24 hours. Bacterial absorbance and growth were analyzed by spectrophotometer and the results were expressed in CFU/ml. Results: The EAG (1.60±2.5) and OWG (24±26.77) had lower CFU/ml counts than the two control groups (p=0.000). When comparing the EAG and OWG groups, the lowest counts were in the EAG (p=0.000). From the 10-3 dilution onwards, the OWG showed an antimicrobial effect similar to the EAG. Clinical significance: Considering the limitations of the present study, promising data were verified for the clinical use of ozonated water as a disinfectant agent since it has an antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus spp. present on stainless steel surfaces for dental use.