Photodynamic therapy: Re-entry in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A clinical study

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of multifactorial origin affecting the supporting tissues of the periodontium. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the photosensitizer dye and a light source to induce reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen) and causes destruction of microorganisms. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of PDT with scaling and root planing (SRP) and also to compare the efficacy of two different concentrations of photosensitizer (methylene blue 0.005% and 0.01%) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methodology: Forty-five patients affected by moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis were included in the study and were divided into three groups. The clinical parameters, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing pocket depth were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months of time interval. After SRP, PDT was performed using methylene blue dye (0.005% and 0.01%) and diode laser with 665 nm wavelength for 60 s. Results: At 1 and 3 months after treatment, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to reduction in PI, GI, and probing pocket depth in all the three groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The additional application of a single episode of PDT to SRP failed to result in an additional improvement in terms of reduction in plaque score, GI score, and pocket probing depth.