Effect of intra-canal photodynamic therapy applied with different photosensitizers on the healing of teeth with lesion

Additional methods have been applied to optimize root canal disinfection during root canal treatment. Photodynamic therapy is the inactivation of microorganisms by the effect of light. It is based on the principle that reactive oxygen species emerge because of activation of a photosensitizer by light of appropriate wavelength in the presence of oxygen. The aim of this in vivo study is to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy applied with different photosensitizers on healing. Seventy single canalled teeth with periapical lesions of 53 patients were included. After biomechanical preparation they were randomly divided into 4 groups as control, methylene blue, curcumin and erythrosine groups. The photosensitizer was ultrasonically activated for 1 minute after 3 minutes of pre irritation. Afterwards, it was irradiated with a diode for 1 minute. Radiographs at baseline, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, 9th and 12th months were taken. Post-operative pain was recorded according to the VAS at the 6th, 12th, 24th hours and 1st week. The lesion dimensions were measured. There was a significant improvement between the baseline to the 1st month and the 1st month to the 3rd month in the photodynamic therapy groups, unlike the control group. At the twelfth month, mean lesion sizes decreased by 86% in the erythrosine and control groups, while 91% reduction was observed in the methylene blue and curcumin groups. All lesions healed, but teeth treated with photodynamic therapy healed faster in the first three months. Photodynamic therapy is a successful canal disinfection method.