Microbiological Effects and Tooth Color Change Following the use of Nanocurcumin and Curcumin as Photosensitizers for Intracanal Disinfection

Objectives: To evaluate the in vitro characteristics, antibacterial activity and tooth color change associated with nanocurcumin used as a photosensitizer for endodontic disinfection.
Methods: Nanocurcumin was prepared using sol-oil technique and the yield product was characterized by ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry, zeta potential measurements, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial activity was assessed using well diffusion test. Evaluation of tooth color change was done by dividing the teeth into 3 equal groups (n=18). Group I (Nanocurcumin modified aPDT) teeth will receive nanocurcumin + LED. Group II (Curcumin modified aPDT) teeth will receive curcumin + LED. Group III (Conventional aPDT) teeth will receive methylene blue + Laser. Shade was recorded using a Vita Easy shade spectrophotometer based on the CIEDE2000 color system at baseline, immediately after treatment and after removal of photosensitizer.
Results: There was no significant difference between nanocurcumin and curcumin neither their antibacterial effect on Enterococcus faecalis (p=0.298) nor their induced tooth color change (p=1).
Conclusions: As nanocurcumin and curcumin have a comparable antibacterial activity and tooth color change effects so nanocurcumin could replace curcumin as a photosensitizer for its enhanced solubility and elimination of dimethyl sulfoxide as a solvent.