Scope of photodynamic therapy in periodontics and other fields of dentistry

Abstract

The advancement in science and technology in the medical field amends a path for embedding new treatment modalities to the challenges presented by the viable diseases. The increasing use of lasers in dentistry and medicine reflects the great advances in this technology during recent decades. A. The gold standard for the non surgical treatment of periodontal disease remains mechanical periodontal debridement. The mechanical periodontal treatment has to be often sustained with various anti infectious means, such as antiseptics or antibiotics. Antimicrobial agents used systemically or as a local drug delivery further suppress the periodontal pathogens, increasing the benefits of conventional mechanical therapy. The emergence of resistant microorganisms and a shift in the microflora after extended use limit the use of antimicrobials. This created the foundation for our modern use of chemotherapy and emergence of photodynamic therapy. The oral cavity is especially suitable for photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) because it is relatively accessible to illumination. A search was initiated to locate original research articles, review articles, and case reports pertaining to the key words: photodynamic therapy, periodontal treatment, photosensitizer, wound healing, laser, photodentistry. Electronic database was selected and articles were retrieved from PubMed and Google This article presents an overview of photodynamic therapy as it represents a novel therapeutic approach in the management of oral biofilms.Clinical Relevance to Interdisciplinary Dentistry Photodynamic therapy is a non invasive treatment modality which can be used in all the major specialty treatments in the field of dentistry. Inflammation, soft tissue and bone healing, postoperative pain, and post treatment tooth hypersensitivity can be managed in pedodontia, oral surgery, peroidontics, endodontics, and conservative dentistry. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy reduces bacterial contamination, especially during the surgical procedures.