# Therapeutic Efficacy of Floating Electrode–Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma in Experimental Periodontitis: A Pilot Study

## TL;DR

This study shows that a new plasma treatment can reduce inflammation and harmful bacteria in a rat model of periodontitis, improving gum and bone health.

## Contribution

A novel FE-DBD plasma probe is introduced as a potential multifaceted therapy for periodontitis.

## Key findings

- FE-DBD reduced harmful bacteria like Bacteroidota and increased beneficial taxa such as Proteobacteria.
- The treatment suppressed pro-inflammatory genes and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression.
- FE-DBD modulated bone remodeling by altering key gene ratios and reducing osteoclast activity.

## Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by dysbiotic biofilms and host-mediated destruction of periodontal tissues. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel needle-shaped floating electrode–dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD) plasma probe in treating experimental periodontitis. Using a split-mouth design in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis, subgingival microbiome changes were analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing, while gene expression of inflammatory mediators and osteoclastogenic factors was quantified by qRT-PCR. Histopathological evaluation and osteoclast activity were assessed through H&E and TRAP staining, respectively. FE-DBD treatment significantly shifted the subgingival microbiome by reducing pathobionts such as Bacteroidota and Fusobacteriota and increasing health-associated taxa including Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota. The therapy also exerted immunomodulatory effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory genes (TNF-α, ICAM-1, CCL2) and elevating anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression. Moreover, FE-DBD favorably modulated bone remodeling by downregulating RANK and RANKL, upregulating OPG, and raising the OPG/RANKL ratio 3.72-fold, accompanied by reduced inflammatory infiltration and osteoclast numbers. These findings demonstrate that FE-DBD plasma effectively ameliorates periodontitis by simultaneously targeting pathogenic biofilms, host inflammation, and osteoclastogenesis, highlighting its potential as a multifaceted adjunctive therapy for periodontal disease.