title: Photodynamic therapy in dentistry: a literature review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this review was to summarize recent developments regarding photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the field of dentistry.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of pertinent literature was carried out in PubMED to determine the current position of PDT applications in dentistry. One hundred thirteen relevant articles were retrieved from PubMED by inserting the keywords "photodynamic therapy", "dentistry", "periodontology", "oral surgery", and "endodontics". It is anticipated that this overview will create a specific picture in the practitioner's mind regarding the current status and use of PDT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In spite of different results and suggestions brought about by different researchers, PDT can be considered as a promising and less invasive technique in dentistry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDT seems to be an effective tool in the treatment of localized and superficial infections. Within the limitations of the present review, it can be concluded that although PDT cannot replace antimicrobial therapy at its current stage, it may be used as an adjunctive tool for facilitating the treatment of oral infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral infections (such as mucosal and endodontic infections, periodontal diseases, caries, and peri-implantitis) are among the specific targets where PDT can be applied. Further long-term clinical studies are necessary in establishing a more specific place of the technique in the field of dentistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Yeditepe University, Bagdat cad. No. 238, Goztepe, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hare
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gursoy
authors.forename: Ceyda
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozcakir-Tomruk
authors.forename: Jale
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanalp
authors.forename: Selçuk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000187:drug effects; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D003813:Dentistry; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy; D008027:Light; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D057873:Peri-Implantitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents