Marleny Elizabeth Martinez Gerbi

Photodynamic Effects of Curcumin Against Cariogenic Pathogens

BACKGROUND DATA The presence of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in dental structure is an indicator of a cariogenic biofilm. Photodynamic therapy is a technique that involves the activation of photosensitizers by light in the presence of oxygen, resulting in the production of reactive radicals capable of inducing cell death. Reduction of bacteria levels can provide additional means of preventing dental caries. OBJECTIVE The present study evaluated the susceptibility of planktonic cultures of S. mutans (ATCC 25175) and L. acidophilus (ATCC-IAL-523) from the Adolfo Lutz Institute (IAL) to photodynamic therapy after sensitization with curcumin and exposure to blue light at 450 nm. METHODS Bacterial suspensions of S. mutans and L. acidophilus isolated (as single species) and combined (multspecies) were prepared and then evaluated. Four different groups were analyzed: L-D- (control group), L-D+ (drug group), L+D- (light group), and L+D+ (photodynamic therapy group). Two different concentrations of curcumin were tested (0.75 and 1.5 g/L) associated with a 5.7 J/cm(2) light emission diode. RESULTS Significant decreases (p<0.05) in the viability of S. mutans were only observed when the bacterial suspensions were exposed to both curcumin and light. Then, reductions in viability of up to 99.99% were observed when using 1.5 g/L of the photosensitizer. The susceptibility of L. acidophilus was considerably lower (21% and 37.6%) for both curcumin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Photodynamic therapy was found to be effective in reducing S. mutans and L. acidophilus on planktonic cultures. No significant reduction was found for L-D+, proving the absence of dark toxicity of the drug.

Overall-Mouth Disinfection by Photodynamic Therapy Using Curcumin

BACKGROUND DATA Photodynamic therapy is a technique that involves the activation of photosensitizers by light in the presence of tissue oxygen, resulting in the production of reactive radicals capable of inducing cell death. OBJECTIVE The present study assessed the overall susceptibility of pathogens of salivary flora to photodynamic therapy after sensitization with curcumin and exposure to blue light at 450 nm. METHODS A randomized trial was executed with 13 adult volunteers. Three different groups were analyzed: L-D- (no light, no drug; control group), L-D+ (treated only with the drug; curcumin group) and L+D+ (treated with drug and light; photodynamic therapy group). Non-stimulated saliva samples were collected for bacterial counts at baseline and after the experimental phase, and adverse events experienced were recorded. Serial dilutions were performed, and the resulting samples were cultured on blood agar plates in microaerophilic conditions. The number of colony-forming units was then determined. RESULTS There was a considerable difference between the two experimental groups with regard to effectiveness of bacterial reduction. In the L-D+ group, the bacterial decline was considerably smaller (9%) than in the L+D+ group, with a 68% decrease in bacteria. A statistically significant reduction in the bacterial population was observed only in the photodynamic therapy group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Photodynamic therapy was found to be effective in the reduction of salivary microorganisms. No significant reduction was found for the group in which only curcumin was used, proving the absence of dark toxicity of the drug. This work shows that overall disinfection of the mouth can be done with a simple procedure involving photodynamic action.

Fs‐laser ablation of teeth is temperature limited and provides information about the ablated components

The goal of this work is to investigate the thermal effects of femtosecond laser (fs-laser) ablation for the removal of carious dental tissue. Additional studies identify different tooth tissues through femtosecond laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (fsLIBS) for the development of a feedback loop that could be utilized during ablation in a clinical setting. Scanning Election Microscope (SEM) images reveal that minimal morphological damages are incurred at repetition rates below the carbonization threshold of each tooth tissue. Thermal studies measure the temperature distribution and temperature decay during laser ablation and after laser cessation, and demonstrate that repetition rates at or below 10kHz with a laser fluence of 40 J/cm2 would inflict minimal thermal damage on the surrounding nerve tissues and provide acceptable clinical removal rates. Spectral analysis of the different tooth tissues is also conducted and differences between the visible wavelength fsLIBS spectra are evident, though more robust classification studies are needed for clinical translation. These results have initiated a set of precautionary recommendations that would enable the clinician to utilize femtosecond laser ablation for the removal of carious lesions while ensuring that the solidity and utility of the tooth remain intact.

Bilateral Bifid Mandibular Condyle: A Case Report

El proceso condilar bifido es una anomalia muy rara. Se diagnostica como un hallazgo accidental en una radiografia panoramica. Su etiologia y patogenia son desconocidas, aunque la teoria mas aceptada sugiere que el trauma esta en el origen de esta condicion. Este articulo presenta un nuevo caso de proceso condilar bifido bilateral en una mujer de 21 anos de edad con antecedentes de trauma en la infancia.

Analysis of Dental Enamel Surface Submitted to Fruit Juice Plus Soymilk by Micro X-Ray Fluorescence: In Vitro Study

Objective. This paper aimed to analyze the in vitro industrialized fruit juices effect plus soy to establish the erosive potential of these solutions. Materials and Methods. Seventy bovine incisors were selected after being evaluated under stereomicroscope. Their crowns were prepared and randomly divided into 7 groups, using microhardness with allocation criteria. The crowns were submitted to the fruit juice plus soy during 15 days, twice a day. The pH values, acid titration, and Knoop microhardness were recorded and the specimens were evaluated using X-ray microfluorescence (µXRF). Results. The pH average for all juices and after 3 days was significantly below the critical value for dental erosion. In average, the pH value decreases 14% comparing initial time and pH after 3 days. Comparing before and after, there was a 49% microhardness decrease measured in groups (p < 0.05). Groups G1, G2, G5, and G6 are above this average. The analysis by μXRF showed a decrease of approximately 7% Ca and 4% P on bovine crowns surface. Florida (FL) statistical analysis showed a statistically significant 1 difference between groups. Thus, a tooth chance to suffer demineralization due to industrialized fruit juices plus soy is real.

The Promising Applications of Stem Cells in the Oral Region: Literature Review

Introduction: For a long time researchers have tried to find out a way to grow tissues back to the human body in order to solve transplantation problems by offering the unique opportunity to have their organs back, working properly, in search of life dignity. Literature Review: Stem cells seem to be present in many other tissues than researchers had once thought; and in some specific sites they can be easily collected, without the need of expensive interventions. The oral cavity is one of these regions where their collection can be accomplished, with plenty of accessible sites enriched with these precious cells. Aim: The aim of this literature review is to research where in the mouth can scientists find stem cells to be used in the near future. Key-message: The aim of this literature review is to research where stem cells can be found and collected in the oral cavity.

Diode λ830nm laser associated with hydroxyapatite and biological membranes: bone repair in rats

The aim of the present study was to histologically assess the effect of laser therapy (AsGaAl, 830nm, 40mW, CW, φ ~0,6mm, 16J/cm2 per session, four points of 4J/cm2) on the repair of surgical defects created in the femur of Wistar rats. Background data: Several techniques have been proposed for the correction of bone defects, including the use of grafts and membranes. Despite the increase in the use of laser therapy for the biomodulation of bone repair, very few studies have assessed the associations between laser light and biomaterials. Method: The defects were filled with synthetic micro granular hydroxyapatite (HA) Gen-phos® implants and associated with bovine bone membranes (Gen-derm®). Surgical bone defects were created in 48 rats and divided into four groups: Group IA (control, n=12); Group IB (laser, n=12); Group IIA (HA + membrane, n=12); Group IIB (HA + membrane + laser, n=12). The irradiated groups received the first irradiation immediately after surgery. This radiation was then repeated seven times every 48h. The animals were sacrificed after 15, 21, and 30 days. Results: When comparing the groups irradiated with implants and membranes, it was found that the repair of the defects submitted to laser therapy occurred more quickly, starting 15 and 21 days after surgery. By the 30th day, the level of repair of the defects was similar in the irradiated and the non-irradiated groups. New bone formation was confirmed inside the cavity by the implant’s osteoconduction. In the irradiated groups, there was an increment of this new bone formation. Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of laser therapy, particularly when associated with hydroxyapatite and biological membranes, produced a positive biomodulation effect on the healing process of bone defects on the femurs of rats.

Assessment of the effects of laser photobiomodulation on peri-implant bone repair through energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence: A study of dogs

Bone neoformation is essential in the osteointegration of implants and has been correlated with the repair capacity of tissues, the blood supply and the function of the cells involved. Laser therapy accelerates the mechanical imbrication of peri-implant tissue by increasing osteoblastic activity and inducing ATP, osteopontin and the expression of sialoproteins. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess peri-implant bone repair using the tibia of dogs that received dental implants and laser irradiation (AsGaAl 830nm – 40mW, CW, f~0.3mm) through Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). Methodology: Two groups were established: G1 (Control, n=20; two dental implants were made in the tibia of each animal; 10 animals); G2 (Experimental, n=20, two dental implants were made in the tibia each animal + Laser therapy; 10 animals). G2 was irradiated every 48 hours for two weeks, with a total of seven sessions. The first irradiation was conducted during the surgery, at which time a point in the surgical alveolus was irradiated prior to the placement of the implant and four new spatial positions were created to the North, South, East and West (NSEW) of the implant. The subsequent sessions involved irradiation at these four points and at one infra-implant point (in the direction of the implant apex). Each point received 4J/cm2 and a total dose of 20J/cm2 per session (treatment dose=140J/cm2). The specimens were removed 15 and 30 days after the operation for the EDXRF test. The Mann- Whitney statistical test was used to assess the results. Results: The increase in the calcium concentration in the periimplant region of the irradiated specimens (G2) was statistically significant (p < 0.05), when compared with the control group (G1). Conclusion: The results of the present study show that irradiation with the AsGaAl laser promoted an acceleration in bone repair in the peri-implant region.

Methylene blue photodynamic therapy in rats' wound healing: 21 days follow-up

The experimental evaluated the photodynamic therapy (PDT) in wound healing. It used 60 male rats, making two circular wounds at each animal. They were treated at 48hs intervals, with methylene blue (MB), low level laser treatment (LLLT) or both, thus resulting in PDT. The wounds were observed 01, 03, 07, 14 and 21 days after and then processed and subjected to HE staining to analyze granulation tissue, necrosis, epithelialization and collagen. After day 1, wounds treated with MB showed necrosis less intense than other groups, and the PDT group showed more intense granulation tissue. At day 3, reepithelialization was absent for half of injuries in the PDT group, and this group was also with lower collagen. However, at day 7, this same group presented reepithelialization more advanced than control group, which did not happen with those treated with MB or LLLT (p = 0.015). The results allow us to conclude that PDT difficulted reepithelization at 7th day and interfered in standard healing. However, when used separately, MB and LLLT interfered significantly compared to the control group, which did not happened to the PDT group. There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in other analysed times.

Evaluation of the polymerization shrinkage of experimental flowable composite resins through optical coherence tomography

This study evaluated the polymerization shrinkage of two experimental flowable composite resins (CR) with different proportions of Urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA)/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) monomers in the organic matrix (50:50 and 60:40, respectively). A commercially available flowable CR, Tetric N-Flow (Ivoclair Vivadent, Liechtenstein, Germany), was employed as the control group. The resins were inserted in a cylindrical teflon mold (7 mm diameter, 0.6 mm height) and scanned with OCT before photoactivation, immediately after and 15 minutes after light-curing (Radii-Cal, SDI, Australia, 1,200 mW/cm2 ) exposure. A Callisto SD-OCT system (Thorlabs Inc, USA), operating at 930 nm central wavelength was employed for imaging acquisition. Cross-sectional OCT images were captured with 8 mm transverse scanning (2000x512 matrix), and processed by the ImageJ software, for comparison between the scanning times and between groups. Pearson correlation showed significant shrinkage for all groups in each time analyzed. Kruskal-Wallis test showed greater polymerization shrinkage for the 50:50 UDMA/TEGDMA group (p=0.001), followed by the control group (p=0.018). TEGDMA concentration was proportionally related to the polymerization shrinkage of the flowable composite resins.