APDT in planktonic cultures of S.mutans using three different photosensitizers

The first antibiotics for the treatment of infectious diseases appeared in the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate use of those agents has leaded more recently, the appearance of resistant strains. This crescent problematic boosted the development of new approaches to promote the control of microbial local infections. The antimicrobial photodynamic therapy appear in dentistry, as a derivation from the medical field, that is based equally in the use of dyes (photosensitizers - PS) and light sources with visible wavelengths, that when associated, they promote the intense formation of singlet oxygen and other free radicals, that can oxidize organic molecules by an unspecific way. Objective: The aim of this investigation was on testing the efficacy of PDTA on planktonic cultures of Streptococcus mutans using Curcumin, Hypericin and Photogem as photosentizers. Method: A LED based device, named as Biotable with three visible wavelengths (LAT - IFSC/ University of Sao Paulo - Brazil), the PS Curcumin and Hypericin (PDT Pharma - Brazil) and the Photogem PS (TimTec - Moscow - Russia) it was used against planktonic cells of S. mutans (ATCC25175).Result: By using the PS Photogem and Hypericin, it was shown that significant reductions on S. mutans levels when compared with the control group. These reductions were in the order of 6 logs up to the bacteria total eradication. Conclusion: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in planktonic cultures of S. mutans demonstrated an important potential in the treatment of dental decay.