Comparative study between photodynamic therapy and chemical solution on bacterial reduction in root canals

Abstract

One of the major medical problems facing mankind in the next century will be the resistance of many pathogenic microbes to existing antibiotics. Oral bacteria can easily reach other body sites and also spread to other individuals. Therefore, antibiotic-resistant oral bacteria have the opportunity for rapid dissemination through the community and to transfer their resistance genes to other bacterial species. Photodynamic therapy involves the use of light-activated drugs which may offer an alternative approach to the use of traditional antimicrobial agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bacterial reduction in infected root canal. Thirty teeth with their root canals prepared were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis. Control group was untreated. Chemical group was treated with sodium hypochlorite for 30 minutes and in the laser group, a photosensitizer paste was placed and maintained in the root canals for 5 minutes and irradiated with a diode laser, output power 10 mW and l= 685nm for 3 minutes. The bacterial reduction was significantly higher for laser group when compared to chemical and control groups. These results indicate photodynamic therapy as an effective method to kill E. faecalis.