RESUMO

Biophotonics is defined as the combination of biology and photonics (the physical science of the light). It is a general term for all techniques that deal with the interaction between biological tissues/cells and photons (light). Biophotonics offers a great variety of techniques that can facilitate the early detection of diseases and promote innovative theragnostic approaches. As the COVID-19 infection can be transmitted due to the face-to-face communication, droplets and aerosol inhalation and the exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids, as well as the handling of sharp instruments, dental practices are at increased risk of infection. In this paper, a literature review was performed to explore the application of Biophotonics approaches in Dentistry focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic and how they can contribute to avoid or minimize the risks of infection in a dental setting. For this, search-related papers were retrieved from PubMED, Scielo, Google Schoolar, and American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention databases. The body of evidence currently available showed that Biophotonics approaches can reduce microorganism load, decontaminate surfaces, air, tissues, and minimize the generation of aerosol and virus spreading by minimally invasive, time-saving, and alternative techniques in general. However, each clinical situation must be individually evaluated regarding the benefits and drawbacks of these approaches, but always pursuing less-invasive and less aerosol-generating procedures, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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RESUMO

Viruses can spread to the environment, and it can be challenging to clear it. A direct approach to limit airborne transmission of pathogens in dental clinic offices is to inactivate viruses within a short time of their production and block the person-to-person transmission routes in dental clinics. For this, we can use chemical substances on surfaces and germicidal ultraviolet light (UV), typically at 254 nm, for complementary disinfection of surfaces and air contaminated by aerosols produced by high-speed handpiece or ultrasound scaler. Based on the literature review and the similarity of Sars-Cov-2 with other previously studied corovaviruses, COVID-19 is sensitive to UV irradiation that can break the genome of this virus, inactivating it. In our study, we performed the calculation of the time required to decontaminate a dental care room between each patient change. We can conclude that the use of UVC can be incorporated into the dental care routine to reduce cross contamination. (AU)

Os vírus podem se espalhar para o meio ambiente e pode ser um desafio eliminá-lo. Uma abordagem direta para limitar a transmissão aérea de patógenos nos consultórios de clínicas odontológicas é inativar os vírus o mais rápido possivel após sua produção e bloquear as rotas de transmissão de pessoa para pessoa nas clínicas odontológicas. Para isso, podemos usar substâncias químicas para limpar as superfícies e luz ultravioleta (UV) germicida (UV), normalmente a 254 nm, para desinfecção complementar de superfícies e ar contaminado por aerossóis produzidos pelo altarotação ou ultrassom periodontal. Com base na revisão de literatura e na semelhança do SarsCov-2 com outros corovavirus previamente estudados, o COVID-19 é sensível à irradiação UV que podem quebrar o genoma desse vírus, inativando-o. Em nosso estudo, realizamos o cálculo de tempo necessário para descontaminar uma sala de atendimento odontológico entre cada troca de paciente. Podemos concluir que a utilização de UVC pode ser incorporada à rotina de atendimento odontológico para reduzir a contaminação cruzada entre atendimentos. (AU)

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