Efficiency of NaOCl and laser-assisted photosensitization on the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the action of a red laser associated with a photosensitizer on the reduction of Enterococcus faecalis in dental root canal in vitro.


METHODS
Thirty prepared teeth with single canals were contaminated. The chemical group was irrigated with 0.5% NaOCl and left flooded for 30 minutes. In the laser group, a paste-based photosensitizer was maintained in the root canals for 5 minutes, and then irradiated with a laser at 685 nm using an optical fiber for an E of 1.8 J during 3 minutes. After treatment, the canal content was collected, serially diluted, and cultured to determine the number of colony-forming units.


RESULTS
Photosensitizer alone or laser alone did not have any bactericidal effect. Chemical solution reduced viable bacteria in 93.25%. Laser photosensitization resulted in a reduction of 99.2%, a significantly higher bacterial reduction than NaOCl.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser photosensitization was effective for reducing E. faecalis in root canals and could be an adjunct to endodontic treatment.
Silva Garcez
Aguinaldo
A
Center for Lasers and Applications, IPEN-CNEN/SP, São Paulo, Brazil.
Núñez
Silvia Cristina
SC
Lage-Marques
José Luís
JL
Jorge
Antonio Olavo Cardoso
AO
Ribeiro
Martha Simões
MS
D052176:Azulenes; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003508:Cycloheptanes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology*
D052176:Azulenes; D003508:Cycloheptanes; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C005525:azulene; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite