The susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans to antibacterial photodynamic therapy: a comparison of two different photosensitizers and light sources

Streptococcus mutans is the main etiological agent for dental caries. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been introduced as a new modality in bacterial decontamination. Objective: This in vitro study was carried out to evaluate the susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans to antibacterial PDT using two different photosensitizers and light sources. Material and Methods: Standard suspensions of S. mutans were exposed to laser light at 662 nm and Radachlorin® or LED 630 nm in combination with Toluidine blue O (TBO). Radiation-only groups, photosensitizer alone, and groups with no treatment were used as controls. Bacterial suspension from each treatment was subcultured onto the surface of Mueller-Hinton agar plates and bacterial growth was assessed. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test (

Pyogenic Granuloma: Surgical Treatment with Er:YAG Laser

Introduction: Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is a common tumor-like growth of the oral cavity, considered to be of non-neoplastic nature, often caused by constant low-grade trauma as well as poor oral hygiene and maybe due to hormonal disturbances. Surgical excision, and removal of underlying cause in some cases, is the preferred method of treatment as it is only a benign lesion.In order to remove this lesion, scalpel, cryosurgery and laser are used. Currently different lasers, with adequate parameters, are used for the surgery of PG, which include CO2 (Carbon Dioxide Laser), Nd:YAG (Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet), Diode and Er Family amongst others. In this present case, due to the proximity of the lesion with dental hard tissue, Er:YAG (Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) laser appears to be the more appropriate laser.The application of Laser is also a newly recommended technique. The aim of this study is to assess the stages of treatment, recovery and recurrence of PG when the Er:YAG laser is used. Furthermore this study aims to also evaluate the friendliness of this method with regards to the surgeon (therapist).Case report: A 24-year-old female was referred to the Laser Research Center of Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences with a complaint of gingival overgrowth and bleeding. This lesion was in the buccal and palatal side of the 5 and 6 maxillary teeth.Treatment plan included an excisional biopsy of the lesion using Er:YAG laser (3W, 300mJ, 10Hz, Short pulse, with contact headpiece).The bones were then cleaned of soft tissue before being smoothed using a curette.The excised specimen was preserved and sent for histopathological examination.Results: The patient reported no pain after surgery and did not use any systemic antibiotics.The patient was satisfied after the surgery. Chlorhexidine mouthwash was given to the patient. Pathology results confirmed Pyogenic granuloma.After 2 weeks, complete healing was observed. The 9-month follow-up was also carried out in order to check the process of healing as well as the recurrence.Conclusion: Excisional surgery is the preferred treatment method for PG. The application of laser can be considered as an effective and safe technique for excision of this lesion with minimal invasion and many clinical advantages such as less intra-operative bleeding, hemostasis and reduced pain and times of healing

Progesterone exerts antidepressant-like effect in a mouse model of maternal separation stress through mitigation of neuroinflammatory response and oxidative stress

Context: Experiencing early-life adversity plays a key role in the development of mood disorders in adulthood. Experiencing adversities during early life period negatively affects brain development. Sex steroids such as progesterone affect the brain structure and functions and subsequently affects behaviour. Objective: We assess the antidepressant-like effect of progesterone in a mouse model of maternal separation (MS) stress, focussing on its anti-neuroinflammatory and antioxidative effects. Materials and methods: NMRI mice were treated with progesterone (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p., respectively) for 14 days. Valid behavioural tests including forced swimming test (FST), splash test and open field test (OFT) were used. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for evaluation of genetic expression in the hippocampus. Antioxidant capacity was assessed by the FRAP method and the level of malondialdehide by TBA. Results: MS provoked depressive-like behaviour in mice. Treatment of MS mice with progesterone increased the grooming activity time in the splash test and decreased the immobility time in the FST. In addition, progesterone decreased the expression of inflammatory genes related to neuroinflammation (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, TLR4 and NLRP3) as well as increased the antioxidant capacity and decreased the lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the hippocampus. Discussion and Conclusion: Administration of progesterone significantly mitigated the negative effects of MS on behaviours relevant to depressive-like behaviour as well as attenuated neuro-immune response and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of MS mice. In this context, we conclude that progesterone, at least partially, via attenuation of oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, exerts antidepressant-like effects

Evaluation of Accuracy of DIAGNOdent in Diagnosis of Primary and Secondary Caries in Comparison to Conventional Methods

Introduction: Today the prevalence of teeth decays has considerably decreased. Related organizations and institutions mention several reasons for it such as improvement of decay diagnostic equipment and tools which are even capable of detecting caries in their initial stages. This resulted in reduction of costs for patients and remarkable increase in teeth life span. There are many methods for decay diagnostic, like: visual and radiographic methods, devices with fluorescence such as Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF), Vista proof, Laser fluorescence (LF or DIAGNOdent), Fluorescence Camera (FC) and Digital radiography. Although DIAGNOdent is considered a valuable device for decay diagnostic, there are concerns regarding its efficacy and accuracy. Considering the sensitivity of decay diagnosis and the exorbitant annual expenses supported by government and people for caries treatment, finding the best method for early caries detection is of the most importance. Numerous studies were performed to compare different diagnostic methods with conflicting results. The objective of this study is a comparative review of the efficiency of DIAGNOdent in comparison to visual methods and radiographic methods in the diagnostic of teeth occlusal surfaces.Methods: Search of PubMed, Google Scholar electronic resources was performed in order to find clinical trials in English in the period between 1998 and 2013. Full texts of only 35 articles were available.Conclusion: Considering the sensitivity and specificity reported in the different studies, it seems that DIAGNOdent is an appropriate modality for caries detection as a complementary method beside other methods and its use alone to obtain treatment plan is not enough

The susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans to antibacterial photodynamic therapy: a comparison of two different photosensitizers and light sources

Streptococcus mutans is the main etiological agent for dental caries. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been introduced as a new modality in bacterial decontamination. Objective: This in vitro study was carried out to evaluate the susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans to antibacterial PDT using two different photosensitizers and light sources. Material and Methods: Standard suspensions of S. mutans were exposed to laser light at 662 nm and Radachlorin® or LED 630 nm in combination with Toluidine blue O (TBO). Radiation-only groups, photosensitizer alone, and groups with no treatment were used as controls. Bacterial suspension from each treatment was subcultured onto the surface of Mueller-Hinton agar plates and bacterial growth was assessed. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test (p<0.05). Results: PDT with TBO and Radachlorin® significantly reduced S. mutans viability, whereas no difference was observed between two groups of PDT. In the groups treated just with the photosensitizer or irradiated alone, no significant reduction of S. mutans colonies was observed. Conclusion: S. mutans colonies were susceptible to either 662 nm laser or LED light in the presence of Radachlorin® and TBO respectively with no priority