Evaluation of photodynamic therapy using a diode laser and different photosensitizers against enterococcus faecalis

• Published in: Acta odontológica latinoamericana Vol. 27; no. 2; pp. 63 - 65
• Main Authors: Silva, Emmanuel J, Coutinho-Filho, Wagner P, Andrade, Aurimar O, Herrera, Daniel R, Coutinho-Filho, Tauby S, Krebs, Renato L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Argentina Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Odontológica 2014
• Subjects: Bacterial Load - drug effects; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Enterococcus faecalis - drug effects; Humans; Lasers, Semiconductor - therapeutic use; Methylene Blue - therapeutic use; Microbial Viability - drug effects; Photochemotherapy - methods; Photosensitizing Agents - therapeutic use; Root Canal Irrigants - therapeutic use; Rosaniline Dyes - therapeutic use; Sodium Hypochlorite - therapeutic use; Time Factors; Enterococcus faecalis; Endodontics; Photodynamic Therapy; Endodontia; Terapia Fotodinamica
• ISSN: 1852-4834; 1852-4834
• DOI: 10.1590/S1852-48342014000200003

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proven to be effective in disinfecting root canals. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the effects of PDT on the viability of Enterococcus faecalis using methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) as photosensitizers. Solutions containing E. faecalis (ATCC 29212) were prepared and harvested by centrifugation to obtain cell suspensions, which were mixed with MB and MG. Samples were individually irradiated by the diode laser at a distance of 1mm for 30, 60, or 120 seconds. Colonyforming units (CFU) were determined for each treatment. PDT for 60 and 120 seconds with MG reduced E. faecalis viability significantly. Similar results were obtained when MB was used as photosensitizer. PDT using MB and MG have antibacterial effect against E. faecalis, showing potential to be used as an adjunctive antimicrobial procedure in endodontic therapy.