title: Influence of ultrasonic activation on photodynamic therapy over root canal system infected with Enterococcus faecalis--an in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the influence of ultrasonic activation on photodynamic therapy over root canal system infected with Enterococcus faecalis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The root canals of 50 single-rooted human extracted teeth were enlarged up to a file 60, autoclaved, inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis and incubated for 30 days. The samples were divided into five groups (n=10) according to the protocol of decontamination: G1 (control group) - no procedure was performed; G2 - photosensitizer (0.01% methylene blue); G3 - ultrasonic activation of photosensitizer (0.01% methylene blue); G4 - photodynamic therapy with no ultrasonic activation; and G5 - photodynamic therapy with ultrasonic activation. Microbiological tests (CFU counting) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to evaluate and illustrate, respectively, the effectiveness of proposed treatments. Data were subjected to one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey test (α=0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The microbiological test demonstrated that G5 (photodynamic therapy with ultrasonic activation) showed the lowest mean contamination (3.17 log CFU/mL), which was statistically different from all other groups (p<0.05). G4 (photodynamic therapy) showed a mean of contamination of 3.60 log CFU/mL, which was statistically different from groups 1, 2 and 3 (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of ultrasonic activation on photodynamic therapy improved its potential for decontamination, resulting in the higher elimination Enterococcus faecalis from the root canal space.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme Cavagnoli
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Ghinzelli
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: matheus292@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Matheus Albino
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; School of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Doglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cecchin
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, University of Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil; School of Dentistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Antônio Poli
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Figueiredo
mesh_terms: D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015612:Phonophoresis / Q000379:methods*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods*; D013010:Sonication / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Enterococcus faecalis; Passive ultrasonic irrigation; Photodynamic therapy