title: Assessment of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in Disinfection of Deeper Dentinal Tubules in a Root Canal System: An In Vitro Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The success of endodontic treatment therapy depends on how well we eliminate pathogenic microflora from the root canal system as micro organism as the major cause of root canal infection. Conventional root canal treatment can fail if microorganisms cannot be removed sufficiently by thorough cleaning, shaping of root canal. Newer modalities such as photodynamic therapy are being tried now a days for disinfection of root canals. Aim & Objectives: The basic aim of this study was assessment of the antimicrobial efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in deeper dentinal tubules for effective disinfection of root canals using microbiological and scanning electron microscopic examination in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College & Research Centre. The teeth required for study was collected from Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Only freshly extracted 20 intact, non carious single rooted teeth which were indicated for orthodontic treatment were taken for this study. Statistical analysis was done using Student's Unpaired t-test were at (p<0.001) was found to be highly significant. Microbiological examination of samples were done and colony forming units were counted to assess the disinfection potential of photodynamic therapy. Scanning electron microscopic examination of samples was done to check penetration of bacteria's into deeper dentinal tubules.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On examination, there was a marked reduction in microbial growth after use of photodynamic therapy. On scanning electron microscopic examination, it was observed that there were less number of bacteria's in deeper dentinal tubules in case of PDT group as compared to control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study indicate that PDT can be effectively used during antimicrobial procedures along with conventional disinfection procedure for sterilization of root canals.
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Swapnil Sunil
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bumb
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Dara John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Bhaskar
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Chandan R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Agali
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Himanshu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Punia
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Vipul
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College & Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Vikas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Safalya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kadtane
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre , Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Sneha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chandra
keywords: Depth of penetration; Enterococcus faecalis; Methylene blue; Photodynamic therapy