Applications and Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy in Periodontics: A Review Study

Aims: Periodontitis is a common cause of tooth loss in adults and is an anaerobic bacterial infection. Enzymes, endotoxins and other cytotoxic bacterial products result in tissue destruction and initiation of chronic inflammation. Mechanical debridement by scaling and root planing (SRP) is the most effective treatment for this condition. Local delivery of antibiotics is an effective alternative treatment with less systemic side effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a technique of local delivery of antimicrobial agents. This study reviews the applications and efficacy of PDT for treatment of chronic and aggressive periodontitis.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of periodontics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Dental School, between June 2015 and April 2015.

Methodology: A search was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords “photodynamic therapy” AND “chronic periodontitis” (MeSH), “photodynamic therapy” AND “aggressive periodontitis” and “photodynamic therapy” AND “periodontal treatment” (MeSH). English articles published from 2000 to 2015 were searched and a total of 32 papers including 8 articles on aggressive periodontitis and 24 on chronic periodontitis were found.

Conclusion: PDT is a minimally invasive treatment for periodontal disease. Methodological limitations of studies in this regard prevent a conclusion being drawn regarding the optimal efficacy of PDT as an adjunct for treatment of periodontitis.