How does Lumoral work?

The antibacterial photodynamic reaction 

Nature is full of phenomena related to the interaction of light and matter. The best-known photobiological phenomenon is photosynthesis: it is essential to our lives. The Lumoral method uses another light-induced phenomenon: the photodynamic reaction. There, the combined effect of light and a photosensitive molecule eliminate bacteria and viruses. 

Plants use photodynamic reaction as one of their immune functions to protect themselves against pathogens. Thus, it is nature’s antibacterial solution. With the help of innovative technology, we can make use of this phenomena to produce an antibacterial effect for improvement of oral health. The benefit of this technology is the lack of resistance formation.

Reactive oxygen is antimicrobial.

What happens in the photodynamic reaction? The photosensitive molecule is activated by light and sensitizes, in turn, the bacterium. The interaction produces reactive oxygen, and the bacterium cannot protect itself against it. In animal cells, the catalase enzyme protects the cell from reactive oxygen, but the bacterial cell gets eliminated. 

The photodynamic effect works even on biofilm.

If we are trying to prevent the most common oral infections, we need to look carefully at dental biofilm. It is easy to eliminate vulnerable planktonic bacteria, but bacteria in biofilm are considered to be a lot less sensitive to antibacterial agents. Biofilm is a protective matrix, a secure structure self-produced by the bacteria from their metabolites. The matrix properties secure the tight adhesion to the teeth surface and bacteria are very well protected. Biofilm is challenging to remove.

The photodynamic effect is unique in its ability to penetrate biofilm. With Lumoral method, we can alter the adhesive structure of biofilm and remove it, leaving tooth enamel unharmed in the process.

Bacterial diversity stays unharmed

What about the bacteria that we wish to keep? We want to maintain diversity in the overall flora. 

There are several ways to be selective when targeting bacteria with photodynamic methods. 

• We selected a photosensitive molecule that is effective against Streptococcus mutans 
• We modified the structure of the photosensitive molecule to adhere well to the surface of the plaque.  
• The design of the mouthpiece directs the light straight to the surface of the teeth 
• The appropriate wavelengths of light are carefully studied and selected 

Dual-Light is very effective against Streptococcus mutans 

Koite Health has developed The Dual-Light, a patent-pending combination of light for Lumoral. It uses near-infrared light together with antibacterial blue light. This effective combination works together with a specially formulated photosensitive molecule. Dual-Light is proven to be effective against Streptococcus mutans bacteria and the bacteria associated with periodontitis.

Lumoral is designed for personal home use to improve oral hygiene. It is to be used together with the light-sensitive mouth rinse, Lumorinse.