Photodynamic Therapy as Adjunctive Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Oktawati S, Rukmana A, Patimah, Wahab RF, Syafar IF, Wahab W.

Background: In the case of chronic periodontitis, conventional mechanical debridement action cannot always eliminate bacteria and toxins in the periodontal pocket. This also can be obtained with additional therapy.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) as adjunctive to scaling and root planing therapy (SRP) in the nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis.
Material and Methods: A systematic search in PubMed, Wiley, and Cochrane were conducted to identify all articles with publication from January 2015 until March 2020 focusing on the effectiveness of PDT as adjunctive therapy in the nonsurgical treatment of chronic periodontitis patients. Searching articles with full-text is done manually, from 454 articles found, there are 20 articles discussed the topic above, then screening the articles were done based on the existing inclusion criteria and the final result was obtained 5 articles that included in this study, had been determined to meet the criteria eligibility. The selected articles are reviewed according to PICO questions.
Results: Out of 5 articles with total 164 patients that met the inclusion criteria, explained that there was a significant change from the assessment of probing depth (PD), clinical attachments level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) in chronic periodontitis treatment with SRP + PDT compared to SRP alone at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months follow up.
Conclusions: Treatment with SRP + PDT as adjunctive therapy is recommended as a modality for the treatment of chronic periodontitis during the maintenance stage in the nonsurgical periodontal treatment.