Efficiency of NaOCl and laser-assisted photosensitization on the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in vitro.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the action of a red laser associated with a photosensitizer on the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in dental root canal in vitro.

STUDY DESIGN:

Thirty prepared teeth with single canals were contaminated. The chemical group was irrigated with 0.5% NaOCl and left flooded for 30 minutes. In the laser group, a paste-based photosensitizer was maintained in the root canals for 5 minutes, and then irradiated with a laser at 685 nm using an optical fiber for an E of 1.8 J during 3 minutes. After treatment, the canal content was collected, serially diluted, and cultured to determine the number of colony-forming units.

RESULTS:

Photosensitizer alone or laser alone did not have any bactericidal effect. Chemical solution reduced viable bacteria in 93.25%. Laser photosensitization resulted in a reduction of 99.2%, a significantly higher bacterial reduction than NaOCl.

CONCLUSION:

Laser photosensitization was effective for reducing E. faecalis in root canals and could be an adjunct to endodontic treatment.

• Authors: Aguinaldo Silva Garcez, Silvia Cristina Núñez, José Luís Lage-Marques, Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge, Martha Simões Ribeiro
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod) Vol. 102 Issue 4 Pg. e93-8 (Oct 2006) ISSN: 1528-395X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16997103 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Azulenes
• Cycloheptanes
• Photosensitizing Agents
• Root Canal Irrigants
• azulene
• Sodium Hypochlorite

Topics

• Azulenes
• Colony Count, Microbial
• Cycloheptanes (pharmacology, radiation effects)
• Dental Pulp Cavity (microbiology)
• Enterococcus faecalis (drug effects)
• Humans
• Lasers
• Photosensitizing Agents (pharmacology, radiation effects)
• Root Canal Irrigants (pharmacology)
• Sodium Hypochlorite (pharmacology)