Photodynamic Therapy in Adolescents Halitosis

Halitosis (bad breath) is a term used to describe an unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth that could originate in the oral cavity itself or as a result of systemic factors. Halitosis is a common problem that affects most of the population worldwide and is caused mainly by the volatile sulfur compounds produced by anaerobic Gram-negative microorganisms in the oral cavity on sulfur-containing substrates in the oral cavity. On the dorsum of the tongue, the volatile sulfur compounds produced from this metabolism are hydrogen sulfide (H2S), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH3) and dimethyl sulfide (CH3-S-CH3). The concentration of these gases is used as an indicator of the severity of halitosis. Recently, the Gram positive anaerobic bacterium Solobacterium moorei (formerly known as Bulleidia moorei) has also been associated with oral malodor by volatile sulfur compounds production, particularly hydrogen sulfide in the presence of different supplements with amino acids more specifically cysteine, wich agrees with studies showing that the cysteine challenge is a in vivo and in vitro model for analyzing the production of hydrogen sulfide.

The measure of volatile sulfur compounds can be performed by an organoleptic evaluation of the air emanating from the oral cavity through gas chromatography or the use of a sulfide monitor, such at the Halimeter (Interscan Corporation), which determines the amount of volatile sulfur compounds in parts per billion (ppb) in the exhaled air. Gas chromatography is the most appropriate means for detecting halitosis of different origins. In 2004, the Oral ChromaTM (Abilit Corporation) was developed in Japan for the individual measurement of the three main gases (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide), allowing the evaluation of the intensity and origin of halitosis.

Light, either alone or in combination with chemical compounds, has been used for its therapeutic and antimicrobial effects. Photodynamic therapy encompasses the simultaneous action of a light source and photosensitizing agent in the presence of oxygen in tissues. Individually, each of these substances is innocuous, but their interaction is capable of giving rise to cytotoxic species that lead to cell death.The advantage of this approach is the avoidance of the development of resistance on the part of the target bacteria and damage to the adjacent tissues, since the antimicrobial effect is confined to the area covered by the dye and irradiated by the light, acting quickly on the target organisms. The efficacy of photodynamic therapy depends on the energy dose and output power employed.

Evaluation of degree of halitosis:

The portable Oral ChromaTM device (Abilit, Japan) will be employed. This device uses a highly sensitive gas semiconductor sensor.It will be connected to the computer with a specific software program that allows the creation of a graph corresponding to the peaks and concentrations of gases, measuring the VSC thresholds (0 to 1000 ppb), with considerable precision after eight minutes.

Analysis of volatile sulfur compounds:

- Hydrogen sulfide: values greater than 112 ppb indicate halitosis (SH2 ≥ 112 ppb);

- Methyl mercaptan: values greater than 26 ppb indicate halitosis (CH3SH ≥ 26 ppb);

A quantitative, controlled, cross-sectional, clinical trial will be carried out involving 130 teenagers. All individuals will be submitted to evaluations with Oral ChromaTM for the diagnosis of halitosis (scores SH2 ≥ 112 ppb and CH3SH ≥ 26 ppb) at the beginning of the study. Three post-treatment evaluations will be carried out: one hour, 24 hours and one week after treatment. The subjects selected will be randomly allocated to five groups:

1. Group 1 will receive treatment with a tongue scraper;

2. Group 2 and 3will receive photodynamic therapy applied to the posterior two thirds of the dorsum of the tongue;

3. Groups 4 and 5 will receive combined treatment (tongue scraper and photodynamic therapy).

The statistical analysis will include the chi-square test and Fisher's Exact Test. The Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used for the comparison of means. Pearson's correlation coefficients will be calculated to determine the strength of correlations between continuous variables. A 95% significance level will be considered on all statistical tests (p < 0.05).