Objective:o explore the antibacterial effect of combined use of photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in root canals.

Methods:A total of 36 isolated teeth with single root canal were collected to establish an experimental root canal model of Enterococcus faecalis infection. Samples were randomly divided into six groups and 0.9% NaCl, 2% NaClO, 0.1% AgNPs solutions were used with conventional needle irrigation (CNI) or PIPS for root canals. Colony count method was used to measure the number of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in root canals before and after treatment, and the percentage of colony count reduction was calculated.

Results:The inhibitory effect of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in all experimental groups was stronger than that in the control group (P<0.05). The decrease amplitude of 0.9% NaCl, 2% NaClO, 0.1% AgNPs assisted with PIPS was greater than that of 0.9% NaCl, 2% NaClO, 0.1% AgNPs assisted with CNI (P<0.05). The decrease in the 0.1% AgNPs assisted with PIPS group was significantly greater than that in the 2% NaClO assisted with PIPS group (P<0.05).

Conclusion:PIPS-assisted AgNPs solution washing can significantly improve the effect of clearing Enterococcus faecalis biofilm in root canals.