Title:Photodynamic Therapy and Periodontal Treatment
Volume: 2
Issue: 1
Author(s): Pinar Gümüs and Nurcan Buduneli
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Photodynamic therapy, periodontitis, peri-implantitis, non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Abstract: Periodontitis is an infectious and inflammatory disease where specific dental plaque pathogens
are associated with the onset and severity of tissue destruction. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has
been proposed as a novel disinfection method, which may be a potential treatment for several infectious
diseases by eradicating microorganisms. Due to the high antibacterial potential, PDT has been
proposed as a beneficial tool in the treatment of chronic periodontitis and peri-implantitis, particularly
in elimination of subgingival pathogens from areas such as deep pockets, root concavities, and furcations.
Positive effects of adjunctive PDT have been reported on the clinical, biochemical and microbiologic
parameters. However, the superiority of PDT in the treatment of periodontitis and periimplantitis
compared to scaling and root planing alone or as an adjunct is still unclear. So far, there is no standard PDT
protocol to be used in periodontal treatment. Larger scale randomized clinical studies with longer follow-up periods are
required to better understand the potential of PDT in the treatment of periodontitis and peri-implantitis. Furthermore, possible
role of various confounders such as smoking and diabetes mellitus or targeting the mechanically inaccessible areas
such as deep pockets and furcations should be examined in future studies.
