title: Immediate root canal disinfection with ultraviolet light: an ex vivo feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study was designed to test application of ultraviolet light to root canal walls, as a mean of complementary immediate disinfection after the use of sodium hypochlorite.
  
  
  METHODS
  Root canals were infected ex vivo with Enterococcus faecalis for 48 hours. Non-attached bacteria were washed away, and the remaining attached bacteria were subjected to disinfection, with 5% sodium hypochlorite alone or followed by exposure to ultraviolet light (254 nm, 300 mJ/cm(2)). Root canals were then tested for remaining viable bacteria. Canals were obturated and tested again after 14 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sodium hypochlorite alone achieved negative cultures in only 47% of the cases, but 96% was achieved with sodium hypochlorite followed by ultraviolet light (P < .001). This status was also maintained after 14 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Illumination of root canals with ultraviolet light may be an effective supplementary means to achieve immediate disinfection of infected root canals.
authors: Department of Oral Biology, Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. metzger@post.tau.ac.il
authors: Zvi
authors: Z
authors: Metzger
authors: Hadar
authors: H
authors: Better
authors: Itzhak
authors: I
authors: Abramovitz
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003804:Dentin / Q000528:radiation effects; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*