Influence of different light sources on the conversion of composite resins.

Aims: The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the influence of different light curing units on the conversion of four composite resins with different compositions (Durafill VS® - Heraeus-Kulzer, Tetric Ceram® - Ivoclar/Vivadent, Filtek™ Supreme XT - 3M ESPE™ e Aelite™ LS Packable - Bisco), using differential scanning calorimetry. Materials and Methods: A stainless steel matrix was used to prepare 48 cylindrical composite test samples (n=6), measuring 3 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness. The samples were photoactivated using a halogen lamp (Optilux™ 500 - Demetron/Kerr) and three different generations of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) (LEC-470 I - MMOptics, Radii Plus - SDI and Ultra-Lume™ LED 5 - Ultradent). After removal of the matrix, each sample was weighed and hermetically sealed in an aluminum pan and analyzed. The amount of heat liberated by thermopolymerisation of residual monomers after photoactivation was measured in Joules/gram (J/g). The data were submitted to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test (P ≤ 0.002) and the Tukey test (P < 0.05). Results: The Ultra-Lume™ LED 5 was superior on degree of conversion for all resins. The Radii Plus was equal to the Ultra-Lume™ LED 5, except for the resin Tetric Ceram® , were the Optilux™ 500 was superior. The LEC-470 I was inferior for the conversion of all resins. Conclusion: The study proves the importance of the compatibility of the different photoinitiators in resin composites with the different light sources.

In vitro lethal photosensitization of S. mutans using methylene blue and toluidine blue o as photosensitizers

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of photodynamic therapy on Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) suspensions, using a red laser for one minute in combination with toluidine blue O (TBO) or methylene blue (MB). Both photosensitizers were used in three concentrations (25, 10 and 5 mg/L). The activity of photosensitizers and laser irradiation were tested separately on the bacteria, as well as the irradiation of this light source in the presence of the TBO or MB. These groups were compared to a control group, in which the microorganism did not receive any treatment. The activity of both TBO and MB or laser irradiation, alone, were not able to reduce the number of S.mutans. In the groups of lethal photosensitization, a bacterial reduction of 70% for TBO and 73% for MB was observed when these photosensitizers were used at 25 mg/L and a reduction of 48% was observed for MB at 5mg/L. In other concentrations there were no significant differences in comparison to the control group. Both the TBO and the MB at 25 mg/L associated with a red laser had an excellent potential for use in PDT in lethal sensitization of S. mutans.

O objetivo deste estudo in vitro foi avaliar o efeito antimicrobiano da terapia fotodinamica em suspensoes de Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175), utilizando um laser vermelho durante um minuto associado a dois agentes fotossensibilizantes: azul de toluidina (TBO) ou azul de metileno (MB). Os agentes fotossensibilizantes foram utilizados em tres diferentes concentracoes (25, 10 and 5 mg/L). A atividade destes agentes e da fonte de luz foi testada separadamente sobre a suspensao bacteriana, assim como a irradiacao desta fonte de luz na presenca de TBO ou MB (terapia fotodinamica). Estes grupos foram comparados a um grupo controle, onde nenhum tratamento foi realizado. A aplicacao dos dois fotossensibilizantes (TBO ou MB) e da fonte de luz, separadamente, nao foi capaz de reduzir o numero de colonias viaveis do S. mutans. Nos grupos onde a terapia fotodinamica foi aplicada, uma reducao bacteriana de 70% foi observada para o TBO e de 73% para o MB, quando estes agentes foram utilizados na concentracao de 25 mg/L. O uso do MB a 5mg/L causou uma reducao de 48%. Para as outras concentracoes testadas nao se observou nenhuma reducao em relacao ao grupo controle. Pode-se concluir que tanto o TBO quanto o MB a 25 mg/L associados ao laser vermelho demonstraram um excelente potencial para promover a fotossensibilizacao letal do S. mutans.