Effect of curcumin-encapsulated Pluronic® F-127 over duo-species biofilm of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans.

To assess the effect of curcumin-encapsulated Pluronic® F-127 (Cur-Plu) during antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) over duo-species biofilm of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Thermal analysis, optical absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy were evaluated. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal/fungal concentration were obtained. The biofilms were cultured for 48 h at 37 °C and treated according to the groups: P + M + L + (photosensitizer encapsulated with Pluronic® F-127 + light); P + D + L + (photosensitizer incorporated in 1% DMSO + light); P - M + L + (no Pluronic® F-127 + light); P - D + L + (1% DMSO + light); P - L + (Milli-Q water + light); P + M + L - (photosensitizer encapsulated with Pluronic® F-127 no light); P + D + L - (photosensitizer in 1% DMSO, no light); P - M + L - (Pluronic® F-127 no light); P - D + L - (1% DMSO, no light); P - L - (Milli-Q water, no light; negative control group); CHX (0.2% chlorhexidine, positive control group); and NYS (Nystatin). Dark incubation of 5 min was used. The groups that received aPDT were irradiated by blue LED (460 nm, 15 J/cm2). Cell viability of the biofilms was performed by colony-forming units (CFU/mL) and confocal microscopy. Two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test was used at a significance level of 5%. P + D + L + and P + M + L + groups exhibited better log-reduction for both Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans biofilms than P - M + L + , P - L + , and P - D + L + experimental groups. Furthermore, P + M + L + and P + D + L + showed greater reduction for Candida albicans than for Streptococcus mutans. aPDT mediated by Cur-Plu can be a potential strategy for biofilm control against duo-species biofilm of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans.

Effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on self-assessment and diagnosis of halitosis in undergraduate dental students.

BACKGROUND: The effects of fixed orthodontic therapy on the occurrence of halitosis are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on self-assessment and diagnosis of halitosis in undergraduate dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two undergraduate dental students were included in this cross-sectional study. Two groups (n = 31 per group) were composed of participants with (study group) or without (control group) fixed orthodontic appliance. Halitosis self-assessment and clinical diagnosis were assessed using a visual analogic scale (VAS) and sulfur volatile compounds (SVCs) assessment, respectively. The subjective (VAS) and objective (SVC) malodor assessments were classified in absence, light, moderate, or severe malodor. Chi-square Pearson test and Spearman's correlation were applied for data analysis, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The use of fixed orthodontic appliances had no effect on self-assessment (P = 0.490) or clinical diagnosis (P = 0.610) of halitosis. Self-assessment was not significantly associated with the diagnosis of halitosis regardless the use of fixed orthodontic appliance (P ≥ 0.737). Male participants showed higher diagnosis of halitosis (P = 0.007). SVC measurements showed the absence of halitosis in 51.6% and 58.1% of participants with or without orthodontic appliances, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of fixed orthodontic appliances affected the self-assessment of halitosis but no SVC measurements. It was not verified a correlation between subjective and objective methods to diagnose halitosis in dental students.

Violet LED for non-vital tooth bleaching as a new approach.

Different light sources have been used during dental bleaching procedures. More recently, a violet LED system was introduced as a promising and viable light source, which is capable to promote dental bleaching without chemical agents, although this light source could be also associated to a bleaching agent. This case report aimed to present the association of a violet LED and a bleaching agent over a discolored non-vital tooth. After anamnesis, clinical and radiographic examinations, a dental bleaching protocol was proposed as follow: 15 applications of the violet LED during 60 s (Bright Max Whitening, MMOptics) with 30 s interval between them. Before the last 5 applications, 35% hydrogen peroxide gel (Whiteness HP Maxx, FGM) was applied inside the pulp chamber and on enamel surface of the tooth (vestibular and palatal surfaces) and then the last 5 irradiations were performed. Three sessions were performed, with 7-days interval. Color assessment using a VITA classical scale and VITA EasyShade® spectrophotometer was carried out. After dental bleaching, color changed (tooth 21) from A3.5 to B2. The protocol used in this case report showed to be satisfactory for the non-vital tooth bleaching.

Violet LED with low concentration carbamide peroxide for dental bleaching: A case report.

The use of violet LED was recently introduced as a new alternative technique to perform tooth bleaching, associated or not with bleaching agents. This paper shows a tooth bleaching clinical case report performed in a 26-year-old woman, using a violet LED with 10% carbamide peroxide (CP). The tooth bleaching protocol was performed in 3 sessions. Fifteen irradiations using a violet light system (BMW, MMoptics, São Carlos, SP, Brazil) were done during 30 s (on) and 60 s (off) without bleaching gel, and more 5 irradiations associated to 10% CP. Upper and lower arches were irradiated separately. The total procedure time was 30 min. Subjective and objective color assessments were performed using Vitapan Classical shade guide and VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer, respectively. Dentin sensitivity was measured using a visual analogue scale. The use of violet LED associated to a low concentration carbamide peroxide successfully promoted tooth bleaching and no side effects i.e. dentin sensitivity during and post treatment was observed.