Phototargeting human periodontal pathogens in vivo.

The effects of blue light at 455 nm were investigated on the bacterial composition of human dental plaque in vivo. Eleven subjects who refrained from brushing for 3 days before and during phototherapy participated in the study. Light with a power density of 70 mW/cm(2) was applied to the buccal surfaces of premolar and molar teeth on one side of the mouth twice daily for 2 min over a period of 4 days.

Tooth whitening: tooth color changes following treatment by peroxide and light.

Objective: This study examined the use of color measurement to determine tooth color in a study of bleaching with peroxide and light used separately and in combination. Two measurement protocols were evaluated for their ability to reveal differences between treatments and confirm tooth shade evaluations.

Methodology: Before and after treatment, 43 subjects were evaluated for tooth color using a shade guide and a chromameter.

Light augments tooth whitening with peroxide.

Background: The authors tested the adjunctive use of light with a 15 percent peroxide gel as a single-visit, in-office tooth whitening system.

Methods: Subject (N = 87) with stained (> shade D4, Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany) anterior teeth were randomly assigned to test (peroxide and light), peroxide control (peroxide gel) or light control (placebo gel and light) groups and were treated for one hour. The researchers evaluated tooth shade, color and subject response at baseline and posttreatment and at three and six months posttreatment.