title: The adjunctive effect of photodynamic therapy for residual pockets in single-rooted teeth: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: Residual pockets are challenging sites that require additional periodontal therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) in residual pockets in single-rooted teeth. A blind, split-mouth, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in systemically healthy subjects presenting at least two residual pockets (probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 5 mm with bleeding on probing (BoP)) in single root teeth in supportive periodontal therapy. The selected sites were assigned to receive (1) PDT + SRP or (2) SRP. In sites treated by PDT as adjunctive to SRP, the laser system included a handheld battery-operated diode laser with a wavelength of 660 nm, a power output of 60 mW, and energy density of 129 J/cm(2), together with methylene blue as a photosensitizer (10 mg/ml). Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline and 3 months post-therapies. Clinical parameters improved significantly after both therapies (p < 0.05), whereas higher probing pocket depth reduction and clinical attachment level gain were observed in the PDT + SRP group at 3 months (p < 0.05). In addition, sites treated by the combined approach yielded a significant reduction in the number of sites with PPD <5 mm without BoP after 3 months compared to sites treated by conventional SRP alone (p < 0.05). PDT as an adjunctive to mechanical debridement demonstrated additional clinical benefits for residual pockets in single-rooted teeth and may be an alternative therapeutic strategy in supportive periodontal maintenance.
authors: Dental Research Division, School of Dentistry, Paulista University, Av. Dr. Bacelar, 1212, 4° andar, Vila Clementino, 04026-002, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Gisele N
authors: GN
authors: Campos
authors: Suzana P
authors: SP
authors: Pimentel
authors: Fernanda V
authors: FV
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Renato C V
authors: RC
authors: Casarin
authors: Fabiano R
authors: FR
authors: Cirano
authors: Cintia H C
authors: CH
authors: Saraceni
authors: Márcio Z
authors: MZ
authors: Casati
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D012534:Dental Scaling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016745:Root Planing; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue