The Effect of Different Output Powers of Blue Diode Laser along with Curcumin and Riboflavin against Streptococcus mutans around Orthodontic Brackets: An In Vitro Study

Did you know that blue laser therapy combined with photosensitive agents like curcumin and riboflavin can help reduce harmful bacteria around orthodontic brackets?

About the Study:
This study, published in 2023 by our center, investigates the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using a blue diode laser and photosensitive agents on reducing the count of Streptococcus mutans (the bacteria responsible for dental caries) around orthodontic brackets.

Research Method:

• 36 orthodontic brackets contaminated with Streptococcus mutans were divided into 12 groups.
• Groups included control, riboflavin alone, riboflavin + blue laser at powers of 200, 300, 400, and 500 milliwatts, curcumin alone, curcumin + blue laser at powers of 200, 300, 400, and 500 milliwatts, and 0.2% chlorhexidine (positive control).
• Brackets were irradiated with a blue laser (wavelength 445 nm) for 30 seconds.
• Bacterial colony counts (CFU/mL) were measured before and after treatment.

Results:

• Curcumin + blue laser at 500 milliwatts and chlorhexidine showed the most significant reduction in bacterial colony counts (p < 0.001).
• Curcumin groups were more effective than riboflavin groups.
• Riboflavin alone and riboflavin + blue laser at 200 milliwatts did not show significant differences compared to the control group.

Conclusion:
Photodynamic therapy using curcumin as a photosensitive agent and a 500-milliwatt blue laser with a power density of 1.0 W/cm² can effectively reduce the number of Streptococcus mutans colonies around orthodontic brackets.

This study was published in 2023 in the journal Biomedicines.