To evaluate one-session endodontic treatment with aPDT and two-session treatment with calcium hydroxide (CH)-based dressing in dog's teeth with apical periodontitis. After experimental induction of apical periodontitis, 48 teeth were randomly assigned to the following groups: groups OS/aPDT120d and OS/aPDT180d (one-session treatment with aPDT) and groups TS/CH120d and TS/CH180d (two-session treatment with CH-based dressing-control groups). The animals were euthanized after 120 and 180 days. After histotechnical processing, microscopic and radiographic analyses were performed. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher's exact tests (α = 0.05). Groups TS/CHs presented repaired resorbed cemental areas, with collagen bundles and few inflammatory cells. In groups OS/aPDTs, the areas of cemental resorption were not repaired with reduced presence of cells and fibers. In the analysis of the apical closure, fluorescence microscopy and percentage of radiographic reduction of lesions, there was significant difference between groups TS/CH120d and OS/aPDT120d and between TS/CH180d and OS/aPDT180d (p < 0.05). Groups TS/CHs had weak RANKL expression and positive immunostaining for RANK and OPG. In OS/aPDT120d, there was positive immunostaining for RANKL. In OS/aPDT180d, the three osteoclastogenesis markers were expressed. The results using aPDT were worse than those obtained with two-session endodontic treatment using a CH-based dressing in teeth with apical periodontitis.
Keywords: Apical periodontitis; Calcium hydroxide; Photodynamic therapy; Root canal treatment.