Introduction: The aim of the study is to assess the effect of photodynamic therapy(PDT) with curcumin and nanocurcumin photosensitizers on collagen-crosslinking and mineral content of human dentine. Materials and methods: In this in vitro, experimental study, 14 extracted human third molars were mesiodistally sectioned and underwent Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX). Groups: treatment with 5% glutaraldehyde, PDT with curcumin+light emitting diode (LED), PDT with nanocurcumin+LED, and distilled water. FTIR and EDX were repeated after acid etching. Data was analyzed by repeated measures, one-way ANOVA, Tukey test and t-test(alpha=0.05). Results and discussion: Surface treatment of specimens with glutaraldehyde, and PDT with curcumin and nano-curcumin increased the CH2/amide3 ratio but not significantly (P>0.05). These treatments equally decreased the loss of calcium and phosphorous content after acid etching, the three experimental groups showing a significant difference with the negative control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: PDT with curcumin and nano-curcumin increased dentine collagen-crosslinking, and enhanced dentine resistance to demineralization.
Keywords:- curcumin; photochemotherapy; collagen; cross-linking reagents