Photodynamic Therapy - A Review

Development of resistance against antibiotics and side effects of the drugs has urged to search for alternatives; to eliminate the micro-organisms from the root canal system. Failure in root canal therapy has been accounted for insufficient removal of the micro-organisms, which has been attributed to the intricate nature of dental anatomy, which in turn strongly limits the effect of mechanical debridement. Moreover, the lateral canals and apical ramifications are inaccessible to root canal instrumentation. Methods of root canal disinfection that supports the chemo-mechanical debridement have a strong bactericidal effect, but the commonly used irrigants, such as sodium hypochlorite or chlorhexidine digluconate do not always eradicate the entire microbial flora. Currently, Photoactivated disinfection (PAD) has been proposed as an alternate adjunct to conventional endodontic disinfection.