In vivo effect of photodynamic therapy on periodontal bone loss in dental furcations.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to histometrically evaluate the influence of photodynamic therapy on bone loss in furcation areas in rats with experimentally induced periodontal disease.


METHODS
Ligatures were placed on the first mandibular molar in rats. Then the animals were divided into four groups: control group = no treatment; methylene blue group (MB) = treated topically with methylene blue (100 microg/ml); laser group (LLLT) = treated with low-level laser therapy; and photodynamic therapy group (PDT) = treated topically with MB followed by LLLT (4.5 J/cm(2)). Rats from all groups were sacrificed at 7, 15, or 30 days postoperatively. The area of bone loss in the furcation region of the first molar was histometrically analyzed. Data were analyzed statistically (analysis of variance and Bonferroni tests; P <0.05).


RESULTS
The PDT group demonstrated less bone loss compared to the other groups at 7 days (1.986 +/- 0.417 mm(2)); at 15 days, the PDT (1.641 +/- 0.115 mm(2)) and MB groups (1.991 +/- 0.294 mm(2)) demonstrated less bone loss compared to the control (4.062 +/- 0.416 mm(2)) and LLLT (2.641 +/- 0.849 mm(2)) groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the parameters used in this study, PDT may be an effective alternative for control of bone loss in furcation areas in periodontitis.
Group of Study and Research on Lasers in Dentistry, Department of Surgery and Integrated Clinic, Division of Periodontics, São Paulo State University, Rua Jose Bonifácio 1193, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
Juliano Milanezi
JM
de Almeida
Leticia Helena
LH
Theodoro
Alvaro Francisco
AF
Bosco
Maria José Hitomi
MJ
Nagata
Marie
M
Oshiiwa
Valdir Gouveia
VG
Garcia
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008026:Ligation; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue