ADJUNCTIVE PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY IN THE ENDODONTIC TREATMENT OF A PERMANENT MOLAR WITH CHRONIC APICAL ABSCESS: A CASE REPORT

Vollständiger Abstract

Worum geht es in dieser Arbeit?

Introduction: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been proposed as an adjunct to chemomechanical preparation because light activation of a photosensitizer generates reactive oxygen species and may enhance antimicrobial action in areas that are difficult to reach within the root canal system. Objective: To report the adjunctive use of aPDT during root canal treatment of a permanent molar with chronic apical abscess. Case report: A 10-year-old female patient presented with an extensive carious lesion, a sinus tract, a negative pulp sensibility response, and a periradicular radiolucency associated with tooth 36. After anesthesia, rubber dam isolation, access, reciprocating instrumentation, and irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, the canals received 0.01% methylene blue and red-light irradiation at 660 nm for two minutes per canal. Root canal filling was then performed with gutta-percha and an endodontic sealer. Short-term clinical and radiographic follow-up showed a favorable course and a slight reduction in the radiolucency. Conclusion: In this case, aPDT was feasible as an adjunct to the conventional protocol. Nevertheless, the short follow-up and the absence of a comparator prevent the outcome from being attributed to photoactivation alone.