Evaluating the effectiveness of various disinfectants in deep carious lesions: An in vivo study

The study aimed to assess and compare the cavity disinfection efficacy of 2% chlorhexidine, 940 nm diode laser, and photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Rose Bengal-functionalized chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) in deep carious lesions.

This randomized controlled, parallel clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Government Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad. A simple randomization technique was used for randomization of samples. A total of 90 patients participated in this study.

Ninety participants with reversible pulpitis were randomly assigned to three groups, each receiving a different cavity disinfectant: 2% chlorhexidine, 940 nm diode laser, and PDT with Rose Bengal-functionalized CS-NPs. Dentinal samples were collected before and after cavity disinfection, and microbiological analysis for total viable count (TVC), Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus count was conducted. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was done at 1 and 6 months.

Statistical analysis involved the Wilcoxon signed-rank, Kruskal-Wallis, and Tukey's tests.

Intragroup comparison showed high significant reductions in TVC, S. mutans, and Lactobacillus count in all the groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that the chlorhexidine group had the greatest reduction in bacterial counts, followed by PDT and diode laser groups. No differences in clinical success rates were observed among the three groups up to 6-month follow-up.

All three cavity disinfectants significantly reduced total vital count, S. mutans, and Lactobacillus count. However, chlorhexidine showed the best results.