title: Antimicrobial photodynamic effect to treat residual pockets in periodontal patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of residual pockets of chronic periodontitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four patients with at least four residual periodontal pockets undergoing maintenance care were included and randomly assigned to test group (PDT, n = 18) or control group (sham procedure, n = 16). The intervention was performed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Clinical parameters such as pocket probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BoP) and plaque index (PI) were measured before intervention and after 3, 6 and 12 months. Subgingival samples were obtained at baseline, and after 7 days, 3, 6 and 12 months to quantify Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia by real-time polimerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All clinical variables showed significant improvement during the study, but there was no significant difference between test and control groups. The microbiological analyses showed no differences between groups at any time during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limits of this clinical trial and considering the laser and photosensitizer protocol used, PDT failed to demonstrate additional clinical and bacteriological benefits in residual pockets treatment.
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Verônica F
authors: VF
authors: Carvalho
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Priscila V C
authors: PV
authors: Andrade
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Michelle F
authors: MF
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Mario H
authors: MH
authors: Hirata
authors: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Rosario D C
authors: RD
authors: Hirata
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Claudio M
authors: CM
authors: Pannuti
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: De Micheli
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Marina C
authors: MC
authors: Conde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000187:drug effects; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D048373:Treponema denticola / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: chronic periodontitis; microbiology; periodontal pockets; photodynamic therapy; polymerase chain reaction