Photodynamic Therapy: A Shining Light in Periodontics.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a photoactive dye (photosensitizer [PS])that activates by exposure to light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen. The energy transfer from the activated PS to available oxygen leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen and free radicals. These chemical species are extremely reactive and can damage proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and other components of the bacterial cell wall. Bacterial biofilms are widely implicated in their role in the causation of gingivitis and periodontitis. Prophylactic and therapeutic regimens for dental plaque related diseases include the usage of various chemotherapeutic agents. Since it is difficult to maintain therapeutic concentrations of these agents in the oral cavity and they run the risk of being rendered ineffective by bacterial resistance mechanisms, the need for an alternative antimicrobial approach in the treatment and prevention of dental plaque related diseases was felt. Many studies have reported the killing of bacteria via lethal photosensitization including both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Photosensitization leads to bacterial elimination, with minimal chances of microbial resistance and with no adverse effects on host tissues and resident microflora. In dentistry, PDT has found use in the treatment of oral cancers, bacterial and fungal infections, and also in the detection of malignancies. PDT is free from genotoxic and mutagenic effects; another important factor for long-term safety. The ease of accessibility of the oral cavity to illumination makes it a suitable target for PDT.

Comparison between Laser, Electrocautery and Scalpel in the Treatment of Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth: A Case Report.

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO) is a well-recognized, unwanted side-effect associated with three major drug groups - anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants and the calcium channel blockers. The prevalence of this unwanted side effect is 25-80% and is also dependent on other factors such as type of drug, dosage, duration of treatment, genetic predisposition, and patient’s oral hygiene maintenance. Three different treatment modalities viz., scalpel, laser, and electrocautery can be used for treating DIGO. Each method carries its own merits and demerits. In the present case report, these three different treatment modalities are used in the same patient in order to compare their handling properties and effect on initial wound healing. Though scalpel remains to be gold standard treatment, use of laser finds some more advantages over the electrocautery for treatment of DIGO.

Diode lasers: A magical wand to an orthodontic practice.

LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a powerful source of light, which has innumerable applications in all the fields of science including medicine and dentistry. It is one such technology that has become a desirable and an inseparable alternative to many traditional surgical procedures being held in the field of dentistry, and orthodontics is no exception. The current article describes the uses of a diode laser as an indispensable tool in an orthodontic office.

Tratamiento de lesiones cervicales tipo NIC asociadas a VPH (Comunicación preliminar) / Treatment of cervicals lesion tipe NIC asociated to VPH (Prelimir comunication)

Se presenta una comunicación preliminar sobre el estudio y tratamiento de 4 pacientes, entre 20 y 32 años, con lesiones de neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) y virus papiloma humano (VPH) que abarcaban 90-100% de la superficie exocervical, con extension a fondos de saco vaginales en 3 casos y asociados a condilomatosis vulvo-vaginal en 3 casos y a condilomatosis del pene del consorte en 2 casos. Se propone una modalidad de tratamiento en dos tiempos: conización en frío del cuello uterino en el primer tiempo, seguida de vaporización de la lesión residual cervical y de los fondos de saco de vagina, un mes después, acompañado de vaporización de la condilomatosis vulvar, vaginal y de pene cuando éstas estaban presentes. Se hacen algunas consideraciones en relación a los resultados controversiales reportados por otros autores