# Temperature changes and inflammatory response in pulpal and gingival tissues surrounding dental restorative treatments performed using blue and red wavelengths: an in vivo and ex vivo study

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2024 · $156,060

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This K23 application is to support the research and career development of Dr. Dayane Oliveira by providing her
with an intensive mentored experience in order for her to complete the transition to an independent clinician-
scientist with a patient-centered research program focused on an unexplored area of designing and
implementing novel dental biomaterials using red light in their application. Light-cured materials revolutionized
dentistry as they allowed to control the setting of the materials in a timely manner simply upon light exposure.
The use of light-cured materials in dentistry was made possible by adding photoinitiators to the composition of
dental materials. Although blue light has been routinely used to cure dental restorative materials for over 50
years, there are still potential risks to dental patients. These risks include gingiva burn/recession and pulp
inflammation that can lead to necrosis in more severe situations caused/induced by the heat generated by this
short wavelength. As well as the direct effects on the gingival and pulpal cells, including the induction of
irreversible reactive oxygen species levels imbalance, damage to the mitochondrial DNA, and collagen
degradation. On the other hand, long wavelengths (such as red light) are known to induce less heat and have
opposing effects on cellular function, reducing inflammation and increasing cell proliferation. Although the blue-
light hazards in dentistry are well known, little can be done as to date as there were no photoinitiators capable
of absorbing longer wavelengths. Our group has overcome this hurdle by synthesizing a dental photoinitiator
activated by red light, thus opening the door for red light to be used in restorative dental procedures. Our in vitro
preliminary data demonstrate the positive effects of red light on temperature during the curing process as well
as on fibroblast and odontoblast viability and their initial signaling responses. Thus, as the next step in filling this
clinical need, we here propose to conduct an exploratory Phase 1 medical device study combined with a
further ex vivo mechanistic study as the next logical steps in translating this improved clinical care from
laboratory findings to clinical practice. Our central hypothesis is that longer wavelengths will mitigate pulpal
and gingival damage during dental restorative procedures. The results of this work will lay the groundwork to
support a future medical device Phase 2 study application in order to achieve the long-term goal of using red
light as a new strategy for light-curing in Dentistry. Thus, ensuring a safer and more effective treatment strategy
to improve oral health. Dr. Oliveira has established a multi-disciplinary mentoring team to provide expertise in
translational research training and mentorship in her career development. A training plan including didactic,
hands-on, and career development experiences has been put forth to enable this transition together with this
str...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11032477
- **Project number:** 1K23DE034470-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Dayane Oliveira
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $156,060
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-16 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11032477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11032477, Temperature changes and inflammatory response in pulpal and gingival tissues surrounding dental restorative treatments performed using blue and red wavelengths: an in vivo and ex vivo study (1K23DE034470-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11032477. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*