A study was performed to assess 13 different eye protection filters, glasses and shields, intended for use with dental material light curing procedures as a follow-up to a similar investigation in 2006. To assess the safety and efficiency, spectra of curing lamps and filters were measured using a spectroradiometric instrument and integrating sphere.

Oral tissues are exposed to optical radiation during various dental treatments and diagnostic methods. However, adverse effects are seldom addressed. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and visible near-infrared reflection spectroscopy (VNIRS) were used to observe oral tissue changes in mice exposed to blue light with respect to erythema (erythema index; EI) and pigmentation (melanin index; MI). Pigmented mice (C57BL/6N; ngroup = 3) were exposed on the tongue and the abdominal skin for control or left unexposed. Irradiation was performed with an LED intended for photopolymerisation of dental materials (λpeaks: 409/460 nm) with irradiance ≈ 2 W/cm2 and radiant exposure ≈ 120 J/cm2.

The increased occurrence of antibiotic resistance in general necessitates development of alternative antimicrobial drugs or methods. Further, certain cases of periodontitis respond poorly to conventional treatment. The principle of photodynamic therapy, currently used against certain cancers, may be a practical treatment modality for oral infections, presumably with low possibility for development of resistance. The treatment requires the presence of light-absorbing molecules (photosensitizer; PS) and irradiation with a light source emission that spectrally matches the light-absorption of the PS.

To inform operators and suppliers of curing/bleaching lamps, lasers and other optical instruments intended for oral applications about safe use. Further, to give references to relevant international guidelines and standards.

Curcumin, bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, has potential as a photosensitiser for photodynamic treatment of localised superficial infections in e.g., the mouth or skin.