Hare Gürsoy

Photodynamic therapy in dentistry: a literature review

ObjectivesThe purpose of this review was to summarize recent developments regarding photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the field of dentistry.Materials and methodsA review of pertinent literature was carried out in PubMED to determine the current position of PDT applications in dentistry. One hundred thirteen relevant articles were retrieved from PubMED by inserting the keywords “photodynamic therapy”, “dentistry”, “periodontology”, “oral surgery”, and “endodontics”. It is anticipated that this overview will create a specific picture in the practitioner’s mind regarding the current status and use of PDT.ResultsIn spite of different results and suggestions brought about by different researchers, PDT can be considered as a promising and less invasive technique in dentistry.ConclusionPDT seems to be an effective tool in the treatment of localized and superficial infections. Within the limitations of the present review, it can be concluded that although PDT cannot replace antimicrobial therapy at its current stage, it may be used as an adjunctive tool for facilitating the treatment of oral infections.Clinical relevanceOral infections (such as mucosal and endodontic infections, periodontal diseases, caries, and peri-implantitis) are among the specific targets where PDT can be applied. Further long-term clinical studies are necessary in establishing a more specific place of the technique in the field of dentistry.

Clinical and Biochemical Evaluation of Lozenges Containing Lactobacillus reuteri as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy in Chronic Periodontitis

BACKGROUND This study evaluates the effects on clinical and biochemical parameters of Lactobacillus reuteri-containing probiotic supplementation adjunctive to initial periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). METHODS Thirty patients with CP were included and divided into two groups. Every patient had, in each quadrant, ≥2 teeth each with approximal sites with a probing depth (PD) of 5 to 7 mm and gingival index (GI) of ≥2. The test group received scaling and root planing (SRP) and probiotic-containing lozenges. The control group received SRP and placebo lozenges. Plaque index (PI), GI, bleeding on probing (BOP), PD, and attachment gain were measured. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was sampled for the analysis of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All evaluations were performed at baseline and on days 21, 90, 180, and 360. RESULTS Differences in intergroup comparisons of PI, GI, BOP, and PD were found to be significant (P <0.05) in favor of the test group at all time points. Decreased GCF MMP-8 levels and increased TIMP-1 levels were found to be significant up to day 180 (P <0.05). Mean values of attachment gain were significantly higher in the test group compared with the control group on days 90, 180, and 360. CONCLUSIONS Lozenges containing L. reuteri may be a useful supplement in moderately deep pockets of patients with CP. Low MMP-8 and high TIMP-1 levels may indicate the role of the lozenges in reduction of inflammation-associated markers up to day 180.

Evaluation of the Clinical and Antimicrobial Effects of the Er:YAG Laser or Topical Gaseous Ozone as Adjuncts to Initial Periodontal Therapy

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological results of treatment with the Er:YAG laser and topical gaseous ozone application as adjuncts to initial periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. BACKGROUND DATA Although many studies have evaluated the effectiveness of the Er:YAG laser as an adjunct to initial periodontal therapy, few studies have focused on the use of gaseous ozone as an adjunct. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients with CP were randomly divided into three parallel groups, each composed of 10 individuals with at least four teeth having at least one approximal site with a probing depth (PD) of ≥5 mm and a sulcus bleeding index (SBI) ≥2 in each quadrant. Groups of patients received: (1) Scaling and root planing (SRP)+Er:YAG laser; (2) SRP+topical gaseous ozone; or (3) SRP alone. The microbiological and clinical parameters were monitored at day 0 and day 90. RESULTS At the end of the observation period, statistically significant improvements in clinical parameters were observed within each group. Parallel to the clinical changes, all treatments reduced the number of total bacteria and the proportion of obligately anaerobic microorganisms. Although intergroup comparisons of microbiological parameters showed no significant differences, clinical findings, including attachment gain and PD reduction, were found to be statistically significant in favor of the SRP+Er:YAG laser group. CONCLUSIONS Although statistically nonsignificant, the fact that the obligate anaerobic change was mostly observed in the SRP+Er:YAG laser group, and a similar decrease was noted in the SRP+topical gaseous ozone group, shows that ozone has an antimicrobial effect equivalent to that of the Er:YAG laser.

Er:YAG Laser Versus Systemic Metronidazole as an Adjunct to Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy: A Clinical and Microbiological Study

OBJECTIVE The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to describe the clinical and microbiological results obtained by treatment with Er:YAG laser and systemic metronidazole used as adjuncts to mechanical subgingival debridement in chronic periodontitis. METHODS Twenty-seven chronic periodontitis (CP) patients were randomly divided into three parallel groups each comprising nine individuals with at least four teeth having at least one approximal site with a probing depth (PD) of ≥5 mm and gingival index (GI) of ≥2 in each quadrant. Groups of patients received: (1) Scaling and root planing (SRP)+ Er:YAG laser (10 hz, 30 mJ/pulse, 1 min per pocket, apico-coronal direction in parallel paths with 30 degree angle tips, under water irrigation), (2) SRP+ systemic metronidazole, or (3) SRP alone. In all treatment groups, SRP was performed at 1 week intervals in two sessions. The microbiological and clinical effects of the treatments were evaluated after 90 days. RESULTS At the end of the experimental period, statistically significant improvements in plaque index, GI, PD and attachment level, as well as reductions in the number of total bacteria and proportions of obligately anaerobic microorganisms were observed within each group. Although intergroup comparisons revealed no significant microbiological differences, clinical parameters as attachment gain and PD reduction were found significantly higher in Group 1 compared with the other groups. CONCLUSIONS Within its limits, this study demonstrated the possibility of better resolution of infection with combined SRP+Er:YAG laser treatment. However, microbiological results failed to demonstrate significant advantages of this combination in comparison with SRP alone or SRP+systemic metronidazole.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Effects of Different Treatment Procedures on Dentine Tubules

OBJECTIVE The objective of this preliminary study was to evaluate the occluding effect of topical gaseous ozone application and Er:YAG laser on human dentine tubules by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. METHODS Twenty-four dentine specimens were divided into three groups. Group I, including specimens treated only with citric acid, served as the control. Group II was treated with Er:YAG (30 Hz 60 mJ, 10 sec), and Group III received only topical gaseous ozone application (10 sec at level 2). Diameters and the number of open dentinal tubules per 100 μm(2) were counted from SEM photomigrophraphs at ×2000 magnification. RESULTS In terms of diameters and numbers of open dentinal tubules per 100 μm(2), both treatment modalities presented significant occlusion. The mean values of the diameters and the number of open dentinal tubules per 100 μm(2) were observed in Group I, Group II, and Group III, in decreasing order. Significant differences were found among the groups in favor of the topical gaseous ozone applied group. CONCLUSIONS The dentine tubules in both treatment groups were occluded, however more marked occlusion were seen in ozone treated group.

Removal of Fractured Laminate Veneers with Er:YAG Laser: Report of Two Cases

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the efficiency of Er:YAG laser for removal of laminate veneers in case of fracture. Primary modes of failure of porcelain laminate veneers were noted to be fracture, microleakage, or debonding. BACKGROUND DATA One of the predisposing factors for the occurrence of fractures is heavy functional or parafunctional loading. METHODS Removal of fractured laminate veneers with Er:YAG laser is proposed as a reliable method. Two cases are presented in which fractured laminate veneers were removed with Er:YAG laser. The parameters used for removal were set at 20 Hz/320 mJ, with water irrigation for 9 sec and the chisel-type laser tip was selected (1.2×0.4 mm, rectangular shape). The pulse width was 200 ms. RESULTS The laminates were removed without any damage to the underlying tissue. The new restorations were reconstructed and both patients were taken under recall program at 6-month intervals. CONCLUSIONS The removal of fractured laminate veneers with Er:YAG laser could be a suitable alternative in routine clinical use.