In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with photosensitizers and calcium hydroxide on bond strength, chemical composition, and sealing of glass-fiber posts to root dentin

Abstract

Abstract: Investigate the impact of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using different photosensitizers (PSs) such as indocyanine green (IG), curcumin (CC), and methylene blue (MB), with or without intracanal application of calcium hydroxide (CH), on the push-out bond strength of glass-fiber posts (GFPs) to intraradicular dentin, the chemical composition of the root substrate, and the sealing of the adhesive interface across different thirds of intraradicular dentin. A total of 112 bovine teeth underwent biomechanical preparation and were divided into eight experimental groups (n = 14 each): Negative control with deionized water; positive control with deionized water + CH; IG group with indocyanine green and infrared laser; IG + CH group; CC group with curcumin and blue LED; CC + CH group; MB group with methylene blue and red laser; and MB + CH group. The push-out bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine (n = 8), and scanning electron microscopy characterized the fracture patterns. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (n = 3) analyzed the chemical composition of the dentin substrate, while fluorescence confocal microscopy (n = 3) assessed the adhesive interface sealing between the resin cement and root dentin. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA and the Tukey test for push-out bond strength and chemical composition comparison, with the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s tests (α = 0.05) for adhesive interface sealing. Significant bond strength differences were noted across root thirds and experimental groups (P <.05), with the IG + CH group showing the highest cervical bond strength and the IG group the lowest. Apical bond strength was highest in the CC group but lower in the NC and PC groups. Mixed failures predominated, except in the MB + CH group, where adhesive failures prevailed. Elemental composition varied among groups treated with different PSs and CH (P <.05), but interface quality, tag formation, and penetration depth showed no significant differences (P >.05). Laser-activated 500 mg/L CC combined with CH emerged as a clinically relevant option for root canal decontamination before GFPs luting. aPDT with different PSs and root canal depth influenced the push-out bond strength of GFPs and the chemical composition of root dentin. Curcumin-mediated aPDT at 500 mg/L proved effective, enhancing bond strength and sealing while maintaining consistent dentin composition across depths.