TRANSLATIONAL APPLICATION OF COLD ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA IN PERIODONTOLOGY AND IMPLANTOLOGY: WHERE ARE WE? A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF IN VIVO STUDIES IN HUMAN AND ANIMAL MODELS

Aim: The utilization of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) in dentistry presents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions. This systematic review of in vivo studies aimed at summarizing the existing evidence regarding the efficacy of CAP as a treatment for biofilms associated with periodontitis and peri-implantitis. The objective was to advance the definition and standardization of protocols and facilitate the integration of CAP treatment as a chair-side practice. Materials and Methods: This review was registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42023404757), and a comprehensive search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases. Results: In total, 9 in vivo studies were included, 1 on humans and 8 on animal models. A notable reduction in residual bacteria when CAP was combined with conventional therapies in both periodontitis and peri-implantitis models was observed. Biochemical and histological assays demonstrated a decrease in inflammatory cytokines within crevicular fluid and oral tissues. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that CAP shows promise for periodontitis and peri-implantitis treatment, but further clinical trials with larger cohorts and standardized protocols are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.