Effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on the reduction of bacteria and virulence factors in teeth with primary endodontic infection

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of supplemental photodynamic therapy for improving the bacterial removal and the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) by conducting a clinical trial.

Methodology: Twenty-four root canals with pulp necrosis and periapical lesion were selected and randomly divided into conventional group using endodontic treatment with chemo-mechanical preparation (CMP) alone (n = 12) and a group using antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) after CMP (n = 12). The samples were collected before and after CMP (conventional group) and after photodynamic therapy (aPDT group). A photosensitizer (0.005% methylene blue) was applied to the root canal for 3 minutes after CMP, whereas aPDT was performed by using a red laser with a power of 30Mw and energy density of 9J/cm² for 90 s per root canal. Culture technique was performed to determine the bacterial colony forming units. LPS and LTA levels were quantified by using limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

Results: All samples showed growth of viable bacteria on Fastidious Anaerobe Agar (FAA), with an average of 5.19 × 10⁵ CFU/ mL. CMP was effective in decreasing viable bacteria (p < 0.05), whereas there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the samples treated with aPDT compared to those submitted to CMP. LPS and LTA were detected in all initial samples, with mean values of 20.561 EU/mL and 430.91 pg/mL, respectively. Both CMP and aPDT groups significantly decreased the levels of LPS and LTA (p < 0.05), with a statistical difference between the groups regarding aPDT (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Photodynamic therapy as an adjunct to CMP proved to be effective in improving root canal disinfection and reducing the LPS and LTA levels in teeth with primary endodontic infection.

Keywords: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy; Bacteria; Endodontics; Root canal disinfection.