Lumoral is beneficial in healthy people, study confirms

A plaque study conducted by a group of oral hygiene students as part of their final thesis, at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland, has been completed. The study shows that using antibacterial Lumoral therapy twice a week benefits the oral health of otherwise healthy people. The study also revealed that the reduction in oral biofilm was significantly greater in the experimental group using Lumoral than in the control group.

The study was conducted by Carolina Cavalcante Bitu, Panu Halen and Susanna Lehti, oral hygiene students at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Their supervisor was Saila Pakarinen, lecturer, oral hygienist and researcher at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The study was partly conducted in cooperation with the health technology company Koite Health Oy.

The purpose of the thesis was to investigate the efficacy of the antimicrobial Lumoral method in reducing oral biofilm as part of an oral self-care routine in healthy 18-70-year-old study volunteers.

Biofilm control prevents oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis and caries. This thesis investigated the potential of indocyanine green (Lumorinse) activated photodynamic therapy of the Lumoral device in biofilm management to aid mechanical extraction from the mouth. In addition, the subjects' experiences in using the Lumoral device as part of their oral home care were analysed using qualitative methods.

The study divided the patients into two groups, an experimental group and a control group. The duration of the study period was one month. The control group, which received only oral self-care instructions, was used as a comparison. In addition to the oral self-care instructions, the experimental group received a Lumoral device and Lumorinse tablets to be used twice weekly.

The biofilm count was measured numerically using the Rustog index and the plaque index, once at the beginning of the study and again after one month. The resulting data were analysed using quantitative methods. In addition, a written evaluation was collected from the subjects of the experimental group about their experience with the Lumoral device.

All respondents found it easy to use the Lumoral device. The majority stated that they could continue to use Lumoral as part of their oral care routine, suggesting that healthy adults could also engage with Lumoral as a self-care measure to prevent oral disease.