No proper treatment option for peri-implantitis exists yet. Based on previous studies
showing the in vitro effectiveness of electrochemical disinfection using boron-doped diamond
electrodes, novel double diamond electrodes (DDE) were tested here. Using a ceramic carrier and
a laser structuring process, a clinically applicable electrode array was manufactured. Roughened
metal discs (n = 24) made from Ti-Zr alloy were exposed to the oral cavities of six volunteers for
24 h in order to generate biofilm. Then, biofilm removal was carried out either using plastic curettes
and chlorhexidine digluconate or electrochemical disinfection. In addition, dental implants were
contaminated with ex vivo multispecies biofilm and disinfected using DDE treatment. Bacterial growth
and the formation of biofilm polymer were determined as outcome measures. Chemo-mechanical
treatment could not eliminate bacteria from roughened surfaces, while in most cases, a massive
reduction of bacteria and biofilm polymer was observed following DDE treatment. Electrochemical
disinfection was charge- and time-dependent and could also not reach complete disinfection in
all instances. Implant threads had no negative effect on DDE treatment. Bacteria exhibit varying
resistance to electrochemical disinfection with Bacillus subtilis, Neisseria sp., Rothia mucilaginosa,
Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Streptococcus mitis surviving 5 min of DDE application at 6 V.
Electrochemical disinfection is promising but requires further optimization with respect to charge
quantity and application time in order to achieve disinfection without harming host tissue