A Bifunctional Zwitterion-Modified Porphyrin for Photodynamic Nondestructive Tooth Whitening and Biofilm Eradication

Tooth staining and biofilm formation are major challenges for dental healthcare around the world. Herein, a bifunctional photodynamic dental therapy (PDDT) strategy is designed based on zwitterion-modified porphyrin (ZMP) prepared by the conjugation of protoporphyrin IX (PP) and a superhydrophilic zwitterion moiety for tooth whitening and biofilm eradication. The electron donor-acceptor structure and water solubility of ZMP increases its reactive oxygen species output to approximate to 8 times compared with PP under purple light irradiation. Results show that this new strategy can not only nondestructively whiten teeth by degrading the chromogen, but also eradicate approximate to 95% of the biofilm by disintegrating the extracellular polymeric substances. This study highlights the superiority of ZMP as a photosensitizer and opens new avenues in exploring PDDT for clinical dentistry to whiten teeth and treat biofilm-induced dental diseases.

Automated summary

A bifunctional photodynamic dental therapy (PDDT) strategy based on ZMP has been developed for tooth whitening and biofilm eradication, showing superior ROS output and ability to disintegrate extracellular polymeric substances compared to PP. This new approach highlights the potential of ZMP as a photosensitizer for clinical dentistry in addressing tooth whitening and biofilm-induced dental diseases.