Photodynamic Therapy An Overview Of Fundamentals Functioning And Clinical Application In The Treatment Of Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the periodontium which is initiated and propagated by bacteria. The main goal of nonsurgical periodontal therapy is to reduce pathogenic bacteria by scaling and root planing (SRP). However there are some limitations to closed mechanical debridement such as presence of root curvatures furcation involvement and deep pocket. Also patients having risks of systemic disease hereditary factors and smoking which are accompanied by persistent infection with particular periodontal pathogenic bacteria recolonization of the periodontal tissues by pathogens is common after treatment. These problems necessitate other protocols with the aim of potentiating the effects of mechanical therapy. Among these protocols Photodynamic therapy (PDT) acts as an adjunctive approach to nonsurgical periodontal treatment in patients with periodontitis. PDT was first used in the treatment of neoplasms. It requires the use of a photosensitizing agent which is activated by light to destroy bacteria and their by-products. Moreover the PDT is also associated with risks and side effects related to light energy photosensitizer and related photochemical reaction. While using the lasers as the light source for the therapy there are certain concerns that should be focused and rules that should be followed.