Year : 2019

Volume : Volume 10

Issue : Issue 1s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Pooja Walia.
pwalia16dec@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:  Photodynamic therapy, which combines use of laser light along with a photosensitizing compound, may be a beneficial adjunct to mechanical periodontal therapy because of its bactericidal and detoxification effect.  Aim: To evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: Following non-surgical therapy, 40 patients with moderate chronic periodontitis were included in the randomized-controlled, split-mouth study. Treatment considered of 1% methylene blue application and irradiation with InGaAsP diode laser with 940 nm wavelength at the test site while only non surgical periodontal therapy at control site. Baseline and follow up measurements included Gingival index (GI), Probing pocket depth (PPD), Clinical attachment loss (CAL) and evaluation of microbial load of Aa, Pg and Pi (CFU/ml).  Results: The GI scores in the test group were statistically significant as compared to the control group. A statistically insignificant reduction was seen in Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Clinical attachment loss (CAL) in Group II patients at the end of 1 month and 3 months. In addition, there was insignificant reduction in the CFU counts of Aa, Pg and Pi in the test group as compared to control group. Conclusion: Adjunctive use of PDT did not provide any additional benefit to those obtained with scaling and root planing alone. Hence, it was concluded that the application of PDT as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis should be further evaluated.

Keywords: Peridontitis, Photodynamic therapy, Methylene blue.