Evaluation of the Use of Acai (Euterpe oleracea Martius) for Carious Dentin Disinfection, Combined or Not with Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of the acai photosensitizer (Euterpe oleracea Martius), combined or not with low-intensity laser, in reducing Streptococcus mutans in carious dentin.

BACKGROUND

Due to its high penetration power and coloring ability, acai presents a promising and unexplored option for use as a photosensitizer in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

METHODS

We selected 60 permanent third molars and exposed their coronal dentin. After producing dentin carious lesions, we randomly divided the teeth into four groups (n = 15 each): C (control)-no disinfection; AC (acai)-acai photosensitizer application; AC + BL (acai + laser)-acai photosensitizer application and irradiation with low-intensity blue laser diode (Therapy); and BL (laser)-low-intensity blue laser diode (Therapy) application. All carious tissue was collected post-protocol application. Total viable bacterial count was determined after 2 days of incubation. Micro-computed tomography was used for qualitative analysis of carious lesions through observation of a carious tooth (control group). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for qualitative analysis of carious tissue disinfection using different protocols. Results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (Student-Newman-Keuls).

RESULTS

The cariogenic challenge produced a carious lesion measuring 17.14875 mm3, located in deep dentin close to the pulp. The AC + BL group showed the most significant reduction in S. mutans count (p < 0.0001), followed by the AC group (p = 0.0055). The BL group showed no significant reduction in S. mutans count (p = 0.2122). SEM analysis showed that AC + BL promoted dentin disinfection, with exposed dentinal tubules. The percentage reduction in S. mutans count was: BL (35.75%), AC (63.41%), and AC + BL (92.68%).

CONCLUSIONS

The AC + BL group showed significantly better results than the AC group alone. The acai photosensitizer, with or without antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, is indicated for carious dentin disinfection.