Ultrasound-activated phase-change nanodroplets for root canal biofilm eradication: mechanistic Investigation and experimental validation
- 1Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
- 2School of Mechanics and Engineering Science, Peking University, Beijing, China
Abstract
Refractory root canal infections pose a major clinical challenge, as conventional treatments fail to eradicate biofilms in the complex narrow root canal structure. This study proposed a novel strategy of ultrasound-activated phase-change nanodroplets (PCNDs) for biofilm elimination and elucidated its physicochemical and biomechanical mechanisms. A coupled Yang–Church–Pitt (YCP) dynamic model was established to simulate the complete phase transition-cavitation-energy release process of PCNDs under ultrasonic irradiation. Ex vivo experiments on E. faecalis biofilms confirmed that PCNDs efficiently disrupted biofilms via cavitation effects, with efficacy positively correlated with ultrasonic intensity but no significant frequency influence. Minimal temperature of approximately 2 °C rises during treatment verified the strategy’s biosafety, preventing dental hard tissue damage. The YCP model accurately predicted the system’s cavitation characteristics and thermal dynamics, and simulated cavitation energy was strongly correlated with experimental biofilm elimination efficiency. This work validated the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-activated PCNDs for root canal biofilm removal; the YCP model provided a theoretical framework for optimizing ultrasonic parameters, offering a novel mechanistically informed approach for managing refractory root canal infections.
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BibTeX
@article{qian2026ultrasoundactivated,
title = {{Ultrasound-activated phase-change nanodroplets for root canal biofilm eradication: mechanistic Investigation and experimental validation}},
author = {Xiaoyu Qian and Jie Dang and Ziqi Shi and Jue Zhang and Jue Zhang},
journal = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2026.1882780},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2026.1882780},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ultrasound-activated phase-change nanodroplets for root canal biofilm eradication: mechanistic Investigation and experimental validation
AU - Xiaoyu Qian
AU - Jie Dang
AU - Ziqi Shi
AU - Jue Zhang
AU - Jue Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
DO - 10.3389/fbioe.2026.1882780
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2026.1882780
AB - Refractory root canal infections pose a major clinical challenge, as conventional treatments fail to eradicate biofilms in the complex narrow root canal structure. This study proposed a novel strategy of ultrasound-activated phase-change nanodroplets (PCNDs) for biofilm elimination and elucidated its physicochemical and biomechanical mechanisms. A coupled Yang–Church–Pitt (YCP) dynamic model was established to simulate the complete phase transition-cavitation-energy release process of PCNDs under ultrasonic irradiation. Ex vivo experiments on E. faecalis biofilms confirmed that PCNDs efficiently disrupted biofilms via cavitation effects, with efficacy positively correlated with ultrasonic intensity but no significant frequency influence. Minimal temperature of approximately 2 °C rises during treatment verified the strategy’s biosafety, preventing dental hard tissue damage. The YCP model accurately predicted the system’s cavitation characteristics and thermal dynamics, and simulated cavitation energy was strongly correlated with experimental biofilm elimination efficiency. This work validated the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-activated PCNDs for root canal biofilm removal; the YCP model provided a theoretical framework for optimizing ultrasonic parameters, offering a novel mechanistically informed approach for managing refractory root canal infections.
SN - 2296-4185
ER -