Review Article
Year: 2020 | Month: October-December | Volume: 5 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 14-29
Photodynamic Therapy in Periodontics
Roopali Tapashetti1, Mithlesh Bhagat2
1Reader, 2Post Graduate Student,
Department of Periodontics, Al Badar Rural Dental College and Hospital, Kalaburagi, Karnataka
Corresponding Author: Roopali Tapashetti
ABSTRACT
The human oral cavity is colonized by a large number of highly diverse bacteria existing in either a planktonic community or in a complex sessile community known as a biofilm (i.e. dental plaque).1While the majority of bacteria in these complex communities are nonpathogenic some bacteria are opportunistic pathogens and are associated with extraoral and intraoral diseases. Photodynamic therapy has been considered as a promising novel therapeutic approach for eradicating pathogenic bacteria in periodontal and peri-implant diseases. Photodynamic therapy is based on chemicals called photosensitizers that are activated by light of adequate wavelength. Its activation leads to the generation of singlet oxygen and free radicals responsible for the cytotoxic effect against specific cells. Photodynamic therapy basically involves three nontoxic ingredients: visible harmless light; a nontoxic photosensitizer; and oxygen. It is based on the principle that a photosensitizer (i.e. a photoactivatable substance) binds to the target cells and can be activated by light of a suitable wavelength. Following activation of the photosensitizer through the application of light of a certain wavelength, singlet oxygen and other very reactive agents are produced that are extremely toxic to certain cells and bacteria.
Keywords: Gingivitis, Photodynamic therapy, Periodontitis, Peri-implantitis