Effectiveness of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase in reducing Streptococcus mutans counts in dentinal caries.

This study compared the capacity of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) to that of a combination of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase (LLL) in root canal disinfectant for reducing the Streptococcus mutans counts from dentinal caries. Forty human permanent third molars were selected, and flat dentin surfaces were created. Carious lesions were induced using a microbiological model. The specimens were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 20) according to the type of agent used: group 1, CPP-ACP; group 2, LLL. The S mutans counts were performed before application and after the first, second, and third applications of the agents. The duration of each application was 3 minutes. Carious dentin specimens were homogenized, diluted, and seeded onto mitis salivarius-bacitracin plates for viable counts of S mutans. Results showed that there was no significant reduction in the number of S mutans in group 1 after the applications of CPP-ACP (P > 0.05). In group 2, a significant reduction of S mutans was observed after the third application of LLL (P < 0.01). These results indicate that 3 applications of LLL enzymes can be used to reduce the number of S mutans in dentinal caries lesions.

Antimicrobial Activity of Photodynamic Therapy Against Enterococcus faecalis Before and After Reciprocating Instrumentation in Permanent Molars.

OBJECTIVE: The present study sought to evaluate the antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis of photodynamic therapy applied before and after reciprocating instrumentation of permanent molars. BACKGROUND: Apical extrusion of debris can cause flare-ups due to introduction of bacteria into the periapical tissues. METHODS: Eighteen mesial roots from permanent mandibular molars were selected. The crowns were removed to obtain a standard root length of 15 mm. The included mesial roots had an angulation of 10°-40° and canals with independent foramina. The orifice of each mesiolingual canal was sealed with light-curing resin, and the working length was established visually, 1 mm short of the apical foramen. The roots were rendered impermeable and sterilized, and the mesiobuccal canals were contaminated with a standard strain of E. faecalis for 21 days. Specimens were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): G1, photodynamic therapy performed before instrumentation and irrigation with 0.9% NaCl (saline) solution; G2, photodynamic therapy performed after instrumentation and irrigation with 0.9% NaCl; and G3 (control), instrumentation and irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl (sodium hypochlorite) solution. Canals were shaped with a WaveOne primary file (25.08) and irrigated with 0.9% NaCl. E. faecalis samples were collected before and after each procedure, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: Significant reductions in E. faecalis were observed when photodynamic therapy was performed before and after instrumentation of the root canal system (p < 0.05). Reciprocating instrumentation significantly reduced E. faecalis colonies in experimentally contaminated root canal systems (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Photodynamic therapy was effective in removing E. faecalis from the root canal system, whether performed before or after reciprocating instrumentation.

Utilização da fonte de luz como energia catalisadora da presa química inicial dos cimentos ionoméricos convencionais / Using a light source as a catalyst energy for initial chemical setting of conventional glassionomer cements

Objetivo Avaliar se o fotopolimerizador de uso odontológico (luz emissora de diodo) aplicado por 20 segundos sobre o cimento de ionômero de vidro convencional pode acelerar a presa química deste material. Métodos Os cimentos ionoméricos utilizados foram o Vidrion R (SS White, Rio de Janeiro) e o Ketac Molar (3M, Espe, Alemanha). Foram confeccionados quarenta corpos de prova divididos em quatro grupos (n=10): G1: Vidrion R sem fonte de luz; G2: Vidrion R ativadas por luz durante 20 segundos; G3: Ketac Molar sem fonte de luz; G4: amostras de Ketac Molar ativadas por luz durante 20 segundos. A espatulação do ionômero foi em quarenta segundos desde o início do processo até a perda do brilho. A fonte de luz foi o aparelho Optilight Max (Gnatus, São Paulo) com potência de luz de 1200mW/cm² e comprimento de onda de 450nm. Os resultados foram analisados no Programa Biostat (Analyst Soft, Walnut, Califórnia, Estados Unidos) versão 4.0, realizada a análise descritiva e o teste de Kruskal Wallis (Student-Newman-Keuls). Resultados A utilizaçãoda luz nos cimentos ionoméricos convencionais Vidrion R e Ketac Molar acarretou redução significativa no tempo gasto para a presa química destes materiais (p<0.01). Não houve diferença entre o tempo gasto para presa química com ou sem a utilização da fonte de luz, quando comparados os cimentos ionoméricos Vidrion e Ketac (p>0.05). Conclusão Autilização da fonte de luz emissora de diodo está indicada para acelerar a presa química inicial dos cimentos ionoméricos convencionais reduzindo o tempo operatório e favorecendo o tratamento em odontopediatria.

Objective To assess whether a dental light curing unit (light emission diode) used for 20 seconds on conventional glass-ionomer cement can accelerate chemical setting of the material. Methods The glass-ionomer cements used were Vidrion R (SS White, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Ketac Molar (3M, Espe, Germany). Forty test specimens were fabricated and divided into 4 groups (n=10): G1: R Vidrion samples without using the light source; G2: Vidrion R samples light activated for 20 seconds; G3: Ketac Molar samples without using the light source; G4: Ketac Molar samples light activated for 20 seconds. In all groups the ionomer was spatulated for 40 seconds. The time elapsed from the beginning of the spatulation to the loss of gloss was recorded in seconds. The light source device was the Optilight Max (Gnatus, São Paulo, Brazil) with light output of 1200mW/cm² and a wavelength of 450nm. The software Biostat version 4.0 (Analyst Soft, Walnut, California) analyzed the results. Descriptive analysis was performed, and the Kruskal Wallis test was used (Student-Newman-Keuls). Results The use of light on conventional glass ionomer cements Vidrion R and Ketac Molar significantly reduced the time required for the chemical setting of these materials (p<0.01). The chemical setting time of the glass-ionomer cements Vidrion and Ketak did not differ with or without the light source (p>0.05). Conclusion The use of a light emission diode is indicated to accelerate the initial chemical setting of conventional glass-ionomer cements, reducing the operative time and improving treatment in pediatric dentistry

Antimicrobial Capacity of Casein Phosphopeptide/Amorphous Calcium Phosphate and Enzymes in Glass Ionomer Cement in Dentin Carious Lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of casein phosphopeptide/amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP/ACP) and lysozyme, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase (LLL) added to glass ionomer cement (GIC) to inhibit the growth of S. mutans in a caries model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty permanent third molars were selected. The dentin of these teeth was exposed and flattened. Except for the coronal dentin, the specimens were waterproofed, autoclaved, and submitted to cariogenic challenge with standard strain of S. mutans. The carious lesions were sealed as follows: group 1 (n=20): GIC without additives; group 2 (n=20): GIC + CPP/ACP; group 3 (n=20): GIC + LLL; group 4 (n=20): GIC + CPP/ACP + LLL. S. mutans counts were performed before the caries were sealed (n=5), after 24 hours (n=5), at 1 month (n=5), and at 6 months (n=5). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test (Student-Newman-Keuls test). RESULTS: GIC + LLL caused a significant reduction of S. mutans 1 month after sealing (p<0.01); however, there was a significant growth of S. mutans 6 months after sealing. GIC, GIC + CPP/ACP, and GIC + CPP/ACP + LLL showed similar behavior with significant reduction of S. mutans after 24 hours (p<0.05) and increase after 1 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: The addition of LLL to GIC increases the antimicrobial action of GIC on S. mutans. This leads to control of bacterial biofilm for 1 month, thus stopping the progression of carious lesions.