Aim: The present clinical study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of 5 types of mouthwash based on different active substances. Materials and methods: The study included 180 patients divided into 6 groups of 30 patients, each group rinsing with one of the following types of mouthwash based on: essential oils, combination of essential oils and 0.12% chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide (0.8%), prebiotic, 0.2% chlorhexidine, and placebo. All participants underwent professional mechanical plaque removal after which they were instructed to rinse with 15 ml mouthwash 2 times a day for 21 days. During the study period, patients were monitored at days 0, 14, and 21, examining oral hygiene index, gingival index, bleeding index, and presence of side effects. Results: Gingival index, bleeding index, and oral hygiene index were reduced statistically significantly in all treatment groups. Adjunctive use of mouthwashes demonstrated better clinical effectiveness compared to mechanical plaque control (and placebo mouthwash). The gingival index and the plaque index were reduced most significantly in the group using mouthwash with hydrogen peroxide. The bleeding index decrease was most significant in the group using 0.2% chlorhexidine. Conclusions: All tested mouthwashes demonstrated significant clinical effectiveness in different degrees in gingivitis treatment. New formulas with prebiotic and combination of essential oils and chlorhexidine indicate promising effectiveness.

Introduction: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) utilizes light-sensitive materials to inactivate pathogens. Indocyanine green (ICG) is an FDA-approved photosensitizer known for its effective photo-thermal and photo-chemical properties. Aim: This study evaluates the efficacy of ICG-based aPDT in eliminating reactive species compared to methylene blue (MtB) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Materials and methods: Solid samples of ICG and MtB were prepared at 0.33% concentrations. Solutions were irradiated with lasers at 810 nm and 630 nm, respectively. EPR spectroscopy measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Spin-trapping agents assessed alkyl radicals, superoxide, and singlet oxygen. Results: ICG demonstrated higher scavenging activity for ROS/RNS compared to MtB. Under PDT, ICG significantly enhanced the reduction of photooxidative stress markers in vitro. Conclusions: ICG combined with aPDT is more effective than MtB in reducing ROS/RNS, indicating its potential for enhanced antimicrobial applications.

Introduction: Antibacterial photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment modality in the anti-infective therapy of numerous oral diseases. It involves photo activation of a reactive substance (dye), thus releasing reactive oxygen species (ROS-radicals) which are highly destructive to the bacterial cell. However, thorough investigation of radical production properties of different dyes is not common in literature.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate and evaluate oxygen radical-producing potential of two commonly used photoactive dyes in the context of antibacterial photodynamic therapy.Materials and methods: The radical-producing properties of two commonly used dyes for photodynamic therapy in oral medicine, methylene blue and indocyanine green, irradiated under laser irradiation are investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The detection of reactive oxygen species is performed with “spin-trapping” technique.Results: The selected photoactive dyes showed promising yields of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in aqueous solutions. The comparative analysis of the results deemed methylene blue as the more productive photoactive agent.Conclusions: By employing the spin-trapping technique, this study indicates EPR-spectroscopy as a promising method of relative quantification of reactive oxygen species released by the photodynamic reaction in aqueous solutions.

Introduction: In dental medicine, photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment for bacterial infections. Oral biofilms, on the other hand, can produce an extracellular matrix that provides protection and stability against external forces. Materials and methods: In this pilot study, we investigate the relationship between a prototype extracellular matrix and the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with three different photosensitizers. To assess the efficacy of the photodynamic therapy, we use culture analysis of the colony-forming units (CFU) and diffusion kinetics microscopy using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Results: Our results show evidence of decreased efficacy of the photodynamic process in the presence of extracellular matrix, as observed in experimental culture models and in direct FRAP observation. Additionally, the mathematically modeled diffusion coefficients of the used photosensitizers suggest low diffusion of these molecules in the prototype extracellular matrix. Conclusions: The presence of an extracellular matrix in oral biofilms may reduce the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in dentistry. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the development of photosensitizers with better diffusion properties in extracellular matrix. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential limitations of photodynamic therapy in dental medicine.

Background : During root canal therapy, one of the most often overlooked anatomical structures in maxillary first molars is the second mesiobuccal canal. Even with the use of ultrasonic devices and magnification, its detection remains difficult. Aim : To evaluate whether cone beam computed tomography provides additional clinical benefit for identifying and negotiating the second mesiobuccal canal after exploration under a dental operating microscope combined with ultrasonic troughing. Methods : A total of 129 maxillary first molars undergoing primary endodontic treatment were examined using a two-stage clinical protocol. In the first stage, canal identification was performed under a dental operating microscope and ultrasonic endodontic tips. Teeth in which the second mesiobuccal canal could not be located or fully negotiated proceeded to the second stage, which included a cone beam computed tomography scan. When an additional canal was visualized, a second clinical attempt at detection and negotiation of the MB2 canal was performed. Detection rates, canal morphology, and negotiation outcomes were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results : The second mesiobuccal canal was detected in 79.1% of teeth during microscopic exploration, with full negotiation achieved in most cases. Cone beam computed tomography identified an additional canal in 40.7% of teeth that remained undetected after the first stage. The combined approach resulted in an overall detection rate of 87.6%. Canal morphology, particularly patency and canal confluence, strongly influenced detectability. Conclusion : Cone beam computed tomography provides added value for identifying the second mesiobuccal canal only when microscopic and ultrasonic methods fail. Its benefit depends on anatomical conditions, while favorable morphology remains the key determinant of successful canal detection and negotiation.