Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) in Prosthodontics: Disinfection of Human Teeth Exposed to <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> and the Effect on the Adhesion of Full Ceramic Veneers, Crowns, and Inlays: An In Vitro Study
Corina Elena Tisler,
Radu Chifor,
Mindra Eugenia Badea,
Marioara Moldovan,
Doina Prodan,
Rahela Carpa,
Stanca Cuc,
Ioana Chifor,
Alexandru Florin Badea
Affiliations
Corina Elena Tisler
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Dental Materials, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 32 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Radu Chifor
Department of Preventive Dental Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Avram Iancu 31, 400083 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Mindra Eugenia Badea
Department of Preventive Dental Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Avram Iancu 31, 400083 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Marioara Moldovan
Department of Polymer Composites, Institute of Chemistry “Raluca Ripan”, University Babes-Bolyai, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Doina Prodan
Department of Polymer Composites, Institute of Chemistry “Raluca Ripan”, University Babes-Bolyai, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Rahela Carpa
Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeș Bolyai University, 1 M. Kogălniceanu Street, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Stanca Cuc
Department of Polymer Composites, Institute of Chemistry “Raluca Ripan”, University Babes-Bolyai, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioana Chifor
Department of Preventive Dental Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Avram Iancu 31, 400083 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Alexandru Florin Badea
Department of Morphological Sciences, Discipline of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of General Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 3–5 Clinicilor Street, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
The use of PDT in prosthodontics as a disinfection protocol can eradicate bacteria from tooth surfaces by causing the death of the microorganisms to which the photosensitizer binds, absorbing the energy of laser light during irradiation. The aim of the study was to investigate the capacity of PDT to increase the bond strength of full ceramic restorations. In this study, 45 extracted human teeth were prepared for veneers, crowns, and inlays and contaminated with Streptococcus mutans. Tooth surfaces decontamination was performed using a diode laser and methylene blue as a photosensitizer. The disinfection effect and the impact on tensile bond strength were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pull-out tests of the cemented ceramic prosthesis. Results show that the number of bacteria was reduced from colonized prepared tooth surfaces, and the bond strength was increased when PDT was used. In conclusion, the present study indicates that using PDT as a protocol before the final adhesive cementation of ceramic restorations could be a promising approach, with outstanding advantages over conventional methods.
