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. 2021 Dec 6;18(23):12847.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph182312847.

Dental-Plaque Decontamination around Dental Brackets Using Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: An In Vitro Study

Daliana-Emanuela Mocuta Bojoga  1 , Mariana Ioana Miron  1 , Elena Hogea  2 , Cornelia Muntean  3 , Darinca Carmen Todea  1
Affiliations

Dental-Plaque Decontamination around Dental Brackets Using Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: An In Vitro Study

Daliana-Emanuela Mocuta Bojoga et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: In orthodontic therapy, the enamel around brackets is very susceptible to bacterial-plaque retention, which represents a risk factor for dental tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methylene blue and a chlorophyllin-phycocyanin mixture, used with and without light activation, in contrast with a 2% chlorhexidine solution, on Streptococcus mutans colonies.

Methods: Twenty caries-free human extracted teeth were randomized into five groups. A Streptococcus mutans suspension was inoculated on teeth in groups B, C, D, and E (A was the positive-control group). Bacterial colonies from groups C, D, and E (B was the negative-control group) were subjected to photosensitizers and 2% chlorhexidine solution. For groups C and D, a combined therapy consisting of photosensitizer and light activation was performed. The Streptococcus mutans colonies were counted, and smears were examined with an optical microscope. Two methods of statistical analysis, unidirectional analysis of variance and the Tukey-Kramer test, were used to evaluate the results.

Results: A statistically significant reduction in bacterial colonies was detected after the combined therapy was applied for groups C and D, but the most marked bacterial reduction was observed for group D, where a laser-activated chlorophyll-phycocyanin mixture was used.

Conclusions: Photodynamic therapy in combination with methylene blue or chlorophyllin-phycocyanin mixture sensitizers induces a statistically significant decrease in the number of bacterial colonies.

Keywords: Streptococcus mutans; antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; bracket; chlorophyllin–phycocyanin; methylene blue.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The ATCC 25175 suspension of S. mutans prepared at 0.5 McFarland units with the densitometer device (DEN-1 McFarland Densitometer, Biosan, BS-050102-AAF, LATVIA).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Containers with prepared teeth and metal brackets attached to them, before performing the bacterial inoculation with a 0.2 mL suspension of Streptococcus mutans.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Evolution of the number of bacterial colonies at different stages of the interventional study.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Characterization of bacterial colonies after sample inoculation for groups B, C, D, and E using an optical microscope (OPTIKA, B-600Tiph, Italy, 100×/1.25× oil PH, PLAN).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Characterization of bacterial colonies after MB, MB + PDT, CHL–PC, CHL–PC + PDT, and 2% CHX experimental treatments using an optical microscope (OPTIKA, B-600Tiph, Italy, 100×/1.25× oil PH, PLAN).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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