Current Clinical Applications of Photo-Activated Disinfection in Restorative Dentistry

From Volume 33, Issue 3, April 2006 | Pages 143-153

Authors

Stephen J Bonsor

BDS(Hons) MSc FHEA FDS RCPS(Glasg) FDFTEd FCGDent GDP

The Dental Practice, 21 Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen; Hon Senior Clinical Lecturer, Institute of Dentistry, University of Aberdeen; Online Tutor/Clinical Lecturer, University of Edinburgh, UK.

Articles by Stephen J Bonsor

Gavin J Pearson

PhD BDS LDS RCS(Eng)

Professor of Biomaterials, Department of Biomaterials in Relation to Dentistry, St Bartholomew's and London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK

Articles by Gavin J Pearson

Abstract

The traditional treatment of dental caries has been limited to bulk removal of the diseased tissue. Recently, disinfection rather than the removal of all the carious tissue has been advocated with the aim of more effective and conservative treatment. In endodontics, prognosis is dependent on the complete disinfection of the root canal system. Evidence exists that Photo-Activated Disinfection is more effective than traditional chemo-mechanical canal preparation. Photo-Activated Disinfection may also have a place in the treatment of other infective oral conditions, including periodontal disease.

Article