Comparison of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide and Photodynamic Therapy Against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in Teeth With Periapical Lesions; An In Vivo Study

Introduction: Elimination of pathological microflora of root canal systems is a major goal in endodontic treatment. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide as an intracanal medication and antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in teeth with periapical (PA) lesions.Methods: This in vivo study was conducted on 20 patients with single-rooted mandibular premolar with previously failed endodontic treatment. This study was performed as a clinical trial (IRCTID: IRCT2016090429686N1). After conventional chemo-mechanical root canal preparation (hand and rotary instruments and 2.5% NaOCl), microbiological samples were obtained using sterile paper points, then stored in thioglycolate solution and transferred to a microbiology laboratory. Group 1 (n = 10) specimens underwent aPDT (diode laser 808 nm + 50 mg/mL methylene blue), while creamy calcium hydroxide paste was used in group 2 for a duration of 1 week. A control sample was taken with sterile paper points and F3 Protaper rotary file. The samples were dispersed in transport medium, serially diluted, and cultured on selective mediums to determine the number of colony forming units (CFUs). Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test at 5% significance level. The significance level for all analyses was set at P<0.05.Results: Number of CFU significantly decreased in both groups after the interventions (P<0.001); however, there was no significant difference in the colony count between the 2 groups.Conclusion: aPDT and calcium hydroxide therapy showed the same antimicrobial efficacy on E. faecalis and C. albicans

Comparison of the Antibacterial Effect of 810 nm Diode Laser and Photodynamic Therapy in Reducing the Microbial Flora of Root Canal in Endodontic Retreatment in Patients With Periradicular Lesions

Introduction: The aim of this study was to compare the antibacterial efficacy of diode laser 810nm and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in reducing bacterial microflora in endodontic retreatment of teeth with periradicular lesion.Methods: In this in vivo clinical trial, 20 patients who needed endodontic retreatment were selected. After conventional chemo mechanical preparation of root canals, microbiological samples were taken with sterile paper point (PP), held in thioglycollate broth, and then were transferred to the microbiological lab. In the first group, PDT with methylene blue (MB) and diode laser (810 nm, 0.2 W, 40 seconds) was performed and in the second group diode laser (810 nm, 1.2 W, 30 seconds) was irradiated. Then second samples were taken from all canals.Results: CFU/ml amounts showed statistically significant reduction in both groups (P < 0.001). CFU/ml amounts were compared between the two groups and there was no statistical difference.Conclusion: PDT and diode laser 810 nm irradiation are effective methods for root canal disinfection. PDT is a suitable alternative for diode laser 810 nm irradiation, because of lower thermal risk on root dentin

Effects of Non-Collagenous Proteins, TGF-β1, and PDGF-BB on Viability and Proliferation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Objectives: The dentin matrix servers as a reservoir of growth factors, sequestered during dentinogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the viability and proliferation of dental pulp stem cells in the presence of dentin matrix-derived non-collagenous proteins and two growth factors; platelet-derived growth factor BB and transforming growth factor beta 1. Material and Methods: The dental pulp cells were isolated and cultured. The dentin proteins were extracted and purified. The MTT assay was performed for assessment of cell viability and proliferation in the presence of different concentrations of dentin proteins and growth factors during 24 - 72 h post-treatment. Results: The cells treated with 250 ng/mL dentin proteins had the best viability and proliferation ability in comparison with other concentrations (P < 0.05). The MTT assay demonstrated that cells cultured with 5 ng/mL platelet-derived growth factor BB had the highest viability at each time point as compared to other groups (P < 0.05). However, in presence of platelet-derived growth factor BB alone and in combination with transforming growth factor beta 1 and dentin proteins (10 ng/mL), significant higher viability was seen at all time points (P < 0.05). The least viability and proliferation at each growth factor concentration was seen in cells treated with combination of transforming growth factor beta 1 and dentin proteins at 72 h (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicated that the triple combination of growth factors and matrix-derived non-collagenous proteins (especially at 10 ng/mL concentration) has mitogenic effect on dental pulp stem cells