A study at Medical College of Georgia found that the blue light dentists use to harden composite resin in fillings has desirable side effects. The light causes oral cancer cells to stop growing or self-destruct. The study found a 10-percent increase in cell suicide (apoptosis) and an 80-percent reduction in cell growth. Furthermore, an appropriate dose of blue light therapy will not harm healthy cells. Researchers included Mr. Alpesh Patel, Dr. Jill Lewis, Dr. Regina Messer, and Dr. John Wataha. Mr. Patel, the student whose findings won him the third place in the American Association for Dental Research Student Research Group DENTSPLY/Caulk Competition, hopes that blue light therapy might someday be used with other therapies to treat various cancers and reduce the need for chemotherapy.
SOURCE: Eurekalert!